Colombia's Congress passes tougher terms for surrendering armed group members
The Senate voted 57 to 24 and the House of Representatives 95 to 10 for the bill, which bars such people from holding office. It now goes to President Abelardo de la Espriella to sign into law.
The bill also bars members of illegal armed groups who surrender from entering peace negotiations. It sets stricter conditions for reduced sentences. Sentences can be cut by up to 50%, and by up to 30% for commanders. Leaders face a minimum sentence of 10 years.
The bill breaks with the "total peace" policy of former president Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella's government says Petro's talks let armed groups expand their ranks and hold areas used for drug trafficking and illegal mining. Petro has said his plan was not fully achieved, but he pointed to a fall in homicides.
The Ministry of Defence says illegal armed groups had 15,120 members at the end of 2022. It put the number at 28,802 in July 2026. Colombia's conflict has lasted six decades and has killed more than 450,000 people.
Key facts
- Who
- Abelardo de la Espriella (President of Colombia); Gustavo Petro (Former president of Colombia); Colombia's Congress (Legislature that passed the bill); Ministry of Defence (Source of figures on armed group membership)
- What
- The Senate approved the bill 57 to 24 and the House of Representatives 95 to 10 in sessions ending late on Tuesday. The bill bars such people from holding office or entering peace negotiations, and sets stricter conditions for reduced sentences; it now goes to De la Espriella to be signed into law.
- When
- 3 November 2026
- Where
- Colombia
- Status
- Reported