General documents - EP Press Statement of 29 April 2021 on political and financial support for Colombia - Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community

As the country approaches the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Peace Agreement, MEPs express concerns about the ongoing violence in Colombia.

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs express their readiness to continue providing all possible political and financial assistance to support the comprehensive implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement.

As the country approaches the fifth anniversary of the signing of the deal, MEPs welcome the recent dialogue between the parties, recognising the respective participants' political effort, realism and perseverance.

Persistent violence

However, the resolution emphasizes that one of the major challenges in Colombia still faces is addressing the killings and the persistent violence against human rights defenders, former FARC combatants and social and indigenous leaders. Noting that the conflict has escalated in rural areas, MEPs deplore the violence caused by illegal armed groups and organised criminal groups linked to drug trafficking and illegal mining.

MEPs call for swift and thorough investigations into this violence and for those found responsible to be held to account, and urge the Colombian state to increase and guarantee the protection and security of people living in regions experiencing violence.

Reiterating that violence is not a legitimate method of political struggle, the resolution calls on the National Liberation Army (ELN), listed as terrorist organisation by the EU, and dissident groups of the FARC-EP to cease violent activities and terror attacks against the Colombian population, and to commit firmly and decisively to peace.