AGP Executive Report

Justice and Indigenous Rights: Colombia’s peace tribunal charged 10 former FARC members, including three former leaders, with war crimes and crimes against humanity against five Indigenous peoples, including murder, torture and forced displacement. Peace Process: Officials warned that budget cuts could weaken the tribunal and the search for disappeared people, as insecurity grows and the UN urges faster implementation of the 2016 accord. Government and Protests: President Abelardo de la Espriella called organizers of upcoming anti-government protests “instigators of evil” and warned against unrest, while saying peaceful demonstrations would be allowed. Vice President José Manuel Restrepo said staffing and contract cuts had reduced his office’s personnel costs by 73%, saving about 1 billion pesos a month. Money and Accountability: An investigation reported that smuggled Colombian gold reaches the UAE through complex networks amid money-laundering suspicions. Separately, Colombia’s inspector general summoned former presidential adviser Eva Ferrer and five others as it examines allegations involving former first lady Verónica Alcocer.

U.S.–Colombia Relations: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with President Abelardo de la Espriella about regional security and closer cooperation, as both governments signal a renewed partnership. Peace and Security: At the UN Security Council, Colombia’s government said more than 132,000 people had been killed since the 2016 FARC accord and armed-group membership had risen sharply; the figures have not been independently verified. The government is also seeking to remove rural reform from UN monitoring, while the UN urges faster implementation of the accord. A car bomb in Cauca underscored the worsening security challenge. Economic Pressures: Annual inflation rose to 6.29% in September, driven largely by services, while the peso fell 2.9% against the dollar.

Cauca Violence: A car bomb at a toll booth injured at least three civilians as fighting escalated; recent clashes and a drone attack have also killed two soldiers. The government has halted peace talks with rebel groups as President Abelardo de la Espriella pursues a hard-line security policy. Security Test: Early figures do not yet show broad improvement under the president’s crackdown, raising questions about claims of progress. Regional Justice: Colombian fugitive Alvaro Pulido Vargas was taken into U.S. custody over alleged multibillion-dollar Venezuelan bribery and money-laundering schemes. Diplomacy: Colombia plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Security: Colombia’s new government is intensifying military operations: an airstrike on a FARC dissident camp in Catatumbo killed at least three, while the Army said an ELN-attributed drone attack in Cauca killed a soldier. Foreign Policy: Bogotá plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem this week, deepening its renewed ties with Israel. Accountability: Former Petro adviser Eva Ferrer accused ex-first lady Verónica Alcocer of drug trafficking and illicit cash transfers on an official aircraft. The claims rely on information Ferrer says she received from others; President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered an Air Force inquiry into the flights.

Allegations and Accountability: Former Petro administration adviser Eva Ferrer accused former first lady Verónica Alcocer of leading a criminal network and using an official plane to move drugs and cash. Her claims, published by Semana, are based on information attributed to others; the government has ordered an Air Force investigation into the flight. Foreign Policy: Colombia plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, formalizing a sharp reversal from Petro’s break in ties with Israel. Courts: The Supreme Court upheld Santiago Uribe’s 28-year homicide sentence, a consequential ruling against the brother of former president Álvaro Uribe.

Foreign Policy: Former president Gustavo Petro visited the Sahrawi embassy in Mexico City with former foreign minister María Ángela Holguín and senator Gloria Flórez, backing the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. Regional Response: Panama declared a state of emergency after powerful quakes damaged buildings across the country and injured at least 27 people; tremors were also felt in Colombia. Security: The Colombian government presented a draft counterterrorism statute that would broaden the legal definition of terrorism, renewing debate over how the state should address threats. The US also deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones to Colombia and Ecuador for operations against drug cartels. Courts: Colombia’s Supreme Court upheld Santiago Uribe’s 28-year sentence for homicide, reaffirming the conviction of the brother of former president Álvaro Uribe.

Foreign Policy: Former president Gustavo Petro reaffirmed Colombia’s support for Sahrawi self-determination during a visit to the Sahrawi embassy in Mexico. Separately, Colombia plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem next week after restoring ties with Israel. Bogotá Governance: A dispute has erupted between the Bogotá Metro construction consortium and the project supervisor, putting scrutiny on oversight of the capital’s flagship infrastructure project. Security and Peace: De la Espriella is advancing a bill to broaden the definition of terrorism as the UN urges him to uphold Colombia’s peace agreement. The U.S. has also moved Reaper drones to Colombia and Ecuador for anti-cartel operations.

Bogotá Metro: A dispute has opened between the city’s metro company and the consortium supervising Line 1, as pressure to speed construction has led to claims of more than 25.2 billion pesos. Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán puts progress at 83.73%. Israel Ties: Colombia plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem next week after restoring diplomatic relations with Israel. Officials are also seeking Israeli irrigation expertise for drought-hit La Guajira. Regional Response: Colombia offered support to Panama after a powerful earthquake damaged buildings and roads, though no deaths were initially reported. Climate & Rural Economy: IDEAM confirmed El Niño, raising concerns about impacts on communities and agriculture. Separately, coffee production fell 15% in the 2025–26 crop year, to 12.65 million bags.

Regional Emergency: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, with tremors felt in Colombia. The quake damaged buildings in Panama; tsunami warnings for the region were later lifted. Government Accountability: Culture Minister Paola Holguín acknowledged she never formally received a master’s degree listed in her credentials. The university said it had published incorrect information after a senator sought clarification. Security and Peace: Colombia’s proposed counterterrorism law drew opposition warnings that it could undermine rights, while the UN urged presidential candidate De la Espriella to uphold the peace agreement. The Supreme Court also upheld the 28-year sentence of Santiago Uribe, brother of former president Álvaro Uribe, for homicide. Medellín Governance: The city reported five homicides in September, its lowest monthly total in 50 years; Mayor Federico Gutiérrez credited coordinated security operations.

Regional Security: Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella and Brazil’s Flávio Bolsonaro outlined a security partnership if Bolsonaro wins Brazil’s Oct. 25 runoff, including closer intelligence coordination against drug networks. Civil Liberties: Colombia’s proposed counterterrorism statute faces opposition claims that it could enable an authoritarian, inquisitorial regime. Political Tensions: Former president Gustavo Petro is urging supporters to protest over the 2027 minimum wage and prepare for a possible general strike. Peace Process: The Comunes party has lost legal status, raising fresh questions about implementation of the FARC peace accord as a deadline approaches. Government Accountability: De la Espriella’s order to fund legal defense for Colombian soldiers charged in Haiti’s president’s assassination has drawn criticism.

Foreign Policy: Colombia is set to open an embassy in Jerusalem next Wednesday, deepening President Abelardo De la Espriella’s promised ties with Israel and reversing the previous government’s break in relations. Civil Liberties: Opposition leader Iván Cepeda says De la Espriella’s draft counterterrorism law could criminalize protest and political opposition; international groups also warn of escalating intimidation against environmental defenders protecting the Santurbán páramo. Fiscal Crisis: Colombia is seeking an estimated $8 billion to $20 billion from the IMF, but steep deficits could make it difficult to meet conditions for a lending deal. Haiti Case: De la Espriella has ordered state-funded legal support for 17 former soldiers facing U.S. prosecution over the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, a sharp shift from his predecessor’s stance. Peace Accord: The former FARC party has lost legal status after failing to win enough support in congressional elections, as the transitional justice tribunal faces budget pressure and a deadline.

Security Legislation: Colombia’s government is advancing an anti-terrorism bill that would create a national register of terrorist groups and expand state powers. The measure needs congressional approval and Constitutional Court review. Israel Policy: Hundreds protested in Bogotá against President Abelardo de la Espriella’s restoration of ties with Israel and plan to open an embassy in Jerusalem, a sharp break with former president Gustavo Petro’s policy. Uribe Case: The Supreme Court upheld a 28-year sentence for Santiago Uribe, brother of former president Álvaro Uribe, over homicide and paramilitary crimes. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine countries, including Colombia, made 233 arrests and recovered more than 1,000 animals; investigators also reported 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Regional Politics: Brazil’s presidential race is heading to an October 25 runoff between Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as right-wing parties also secured majorities in both chambers of Congress.

Security Policy: President Abelardo de la Espriella’s proposed counterterrorism statute would broaden the definition of terrorism, create a national registry and expand military powers, including airstrikes. The bill is headed to Congress, where its effects on civil liberties will be a central question. Haiti Case: De la Espriella has ordered legal and financial assistance for 17 Colombian veterans facing prosecution in the assassination of Haiti’s president, while saying individual responsibility must be determined. Disaster Recovery: The government’s Milagro Fund is operational with an initial US$311 million for earthquake relief and reconstruction; a UN assessment puts direct damage at US$13.1 billion. Energy: Colombia has formally halted electricity exports to Ecuador as El Niño heightens shortage risks. The new government is also reviving fracking plans in the Magdalena River wetlands to shore up gas supplies. Regional Enforcement: An Interpol operation involving Colombia and eight other countries reported 233 arrests in a crackdown on environmental crime, including illegal wildlife and timber trafficking. Indigenous Protest: The president says demonstrations planned in Cauca will be allowed, but warns against road blockades and says the government will not negotiate under pressure.

Security & Justice: Colombia’s security push against the ELN got a boost with the launch of Joint Task Force Urano (about 1,200 troops/police), targeting fuel theft, illegal mining and extortion, with early arrests and seized fuel reported as a first win. Counter-Narcotics & U.S.-Colombia ties: The U.S. moved MQ-9 Reaper “Hunter-killer” drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador as part of an expanded anti-cartel campaign, signaling deeper operational cooperation. Armed conflict trend: A new tally says Colombia recorded 418 explosive drone attacks in 2026 (Jan–late Sept), the highest in Latin America and increasingly involving minors. Environmental crime crackdown: Interpol’s regional operation led to 233 arrests and linked illegal Amazon deforestation, gold mining and wildlife trafficking to companies and buyers across multiple continents, including a Colombia-origin case. Cybercrime cooperation: Belize and Colombia teamed up with Caribbean partners for a workshop to strengthen prevention, investigation and response to cybercrime. Sanctions & diplomacy: The U.S. removed more than 70 Colombians from the OFAC list, while Colombia’s president reiterated support for military veterans extradited to the U.S. over a Haitian leader’s killing. Culture & society: Bogotá-area readers also saw Colombia’s Silvia Peña win a major painting award in South Korea, and Colombia’s Catholic Church tighten scrutiny and training around exorcism.

Security & Justice: Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella said he will provide legal and economic support to Colombian military veterans extradited to Florida over the 2021 killing of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse, framing the case as one that must clarify individual responsibility. Counter-ELN Operations: The Urano joint task force targets stolen fuel along a pipeline linking the Caribbean coast to Barrancabermeja, with the government arguing ELN theft funds cocaine production, illegal mining, and violence. Energy Policy: A fuel price freeze decision is projected to cost Colombia more than US$3B a year, with diesel hit hardest as international prices surge faster than domestic adjustments. Church & Society: Colombia’s Catholic Church tightened exorcism training and procedures in Bogotá, stressing discernment first and urging consultation with medical and mental-health professionals before any rite. International Cooperation: The U.S. and nine Western Hemisphere countries, including Colombia, jointly condemned alleged Iranian “terrorist actions” and pledged closer coordination to counter influence and proxy operations. Tech & Consumer Market: Apple’s first foldable iPhone Duo is set for pre-orders in Colombia on Oct. 16 and sales on Oct. 23, with the 256GB model priced around 9.7 million pesos.

Security & Counterinsurgency: Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella launched the Urano task force to hit ELN fuel theft from the Caribbean-to-Barrancabermeja pipeline, replacing the prior approach of peace talks with targeted military offensives. Energy Governance: Ecopetrol asked prosecutors to investigate the Regasificadora del Pacífico LNG contract, alleging possible irregularities in how it was awarded and modified. Climate Policy: Colombia’s Article 6 technical partner urged the incoming administration to publish a legal framework for emissions-reduction market transactions, set a $20/t ITMO negotiation floor, and define eligible sectors. Regional Diplomacy: The US, Canada and nine Latin American and Caribbean governments accused Iran and proxies of terrorist and malign operations in the hemisphere, pledging tighter coordination. US-Colombia Migration Pressure: The US State Department confirmed it revoked 250,000+ visas since Trump’s return, including restrictions tied to alleged corruption and drug-trafficking links involving Colombia. Local Politics & Business: Colombia’s top business association ANDI saw its president resign amid rising tensions with the De la Espriella government. Culture in Bogotá: BTS kicked off the South American leg of its Arirang tour in Bogotá, drawing major local attention.