3.3.2. 'Total Peace' Plan

3.3.2. 'Total Peace' Plan

In November 2022, President Petro approved Law 2272 which defined the policy of 'Total Peace' to establish negotiation tables with illegal armed groups, including ELN, FARC dissident groups, and other criminal bands.407 About 22 illegal armed groups sought to enter into the 'Total Peace' framework.408 Peace negotiations with illegal armed groups under the 'Total Peace' plan have faced mounting obstacles.409 Ceasefire agreements were established with different illegal armed groups, but most of these agreements were suspended after the commission of criminal activities.410 The ELN has indicated that it did not agree to be part of any ceasefire with the government.411 At the same time, a bilateral ceasefire began in August 2023 and expired in August 2024, as negotiations stalled.⁴¹²

The 'Total Peace' policy 'faced difficulties'413 and had limited impacts in ending abuses against civilians two years after implementation due to insufficient monitoring and failure of groups to comply with ceasefire conditions.414 As of late 2024, truces with some criminal structures and the government remained in force, while other groups, not party to such talks, expanded violence.415 Disputes and clashes between public security forces and armed groups continued in 2024, after suspension and non-renewal of ceasefires.416 As of 19 November 2025, there were no national ceasefires in place as part of Paz Total.⁴¹⁷

Despite limited advances in the security situation due to temporary ceasefires, negotiations with illegal armed groups under 'Total Peace' plan have stalled due internal fragmentation in some groups, lack of coordination and strategy from the government, and continuing armed confrontation among these groups.418 Illegal armed groups also continued with criminal activities.419

Sources noted that the 'Total Peace' plan has had little effect on improving Colombia's security.420 Even though confrontations between state security forces and illegal armed groups have decreased, illegal armed groups continue fighting among themselves causing serious violations of human rights for local populations.421

The following is the status of peace initiatives under 'Total Peace' plan for each participating armed group:

According to FIP, during 'Total Peace' negotiations, illegal armed groups have modified criminal strategies to hide the effects of violence.425 This dynamic is also mentioned in reference to homicides, kidnappings, and extortion in Section 4.1.