Armed Groups Are Shaping Colombia's Election Again

As Colombia heads toward a decisive presidential runoff, security has become the country's most explosive political issue. For many voters, the debate is no longer just about the economy or social reforms. It's about who can control the armed groups that still influence large parts of the country. Current president Gustavo Petro entered office promising a strategy known as "Total Peace," opening negotiations with guerrillas, criminal organizations and armed factions. Supporters argue the policy reduced some confrontations and created channels for dialogue.

Critics say the opposite happened. They claim several groups expanded their influence while talks were taking place, increasing their presence in remote regions and strengthening illegal economies linked to drug trafficking, extortion and illegal mining. That controversy now dominates the 2026 presidential race. Who are the main armed groups? The most influential organizations today include the ELN National Liberation Army , the largest remaining left-wing guerrilla force in Colombia, along with multiple dissident factions that rejected or abandoned the 2016 FARC peace agreement. Another major player is the Clan del Golfo, widely considered Colombia's most powerful criminal organization. Recent reports suggest the group has grown significantly in both manpower and territorial reach. While these groups have different origins and ideologies, they often compete over strategic corridors use…

Several candidates have promised tougher military operations and a stronger state presence in conflict zones. Others argue that abandoning negotiations could trigger a new cycle of violence. In a surprising development, some armed organizations announced temporary ceasefires around the election period, saying civilians should be able to vote without interference. The announcements sparked mixed reactions. Some Colombians viewed them as a positive gesture. Others saw them as evidence that armed groups still possess enough power to influence national conversations. A conflict with deep roots Colombia's armed conflict stretches back more than half a century. During the 1960s, left-wing guerrilla groups emerged in rural areas where state institutions were weak. In later decades, paramilitary organizations appeared, claiming to fight insurgencies while becoming deeply involved in violence th…

Whether the country continues negotiations or shifts toward a harder security doctrine could shape Colombia's future for the next decade. For millions of Colombians, the question isn't only who wins the election. It's whether the next government can finally reduce the influence of armed groups that have shaped the country's history for generations. What do you think: can peace talks still work, or is a completely new approach needed? ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 👉 READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON THE " Commenta La Notizia " BLOG 👇

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