On the situation in Colombia after the wave of recent terrorist attacks

B100380/2025

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Colombia after the wave of recent terrorist attacks

(2025/2855(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Colombia,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 7 June 2025, Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot during a campaign rally in Bogotá and later died from his injuries;

B.whereas on 21 August 2025, at least 18 people, including civilians and police officers, were killed and dozens wounded in two separate attacks in Cali and Antioquia, Colombia;

C.whereas Colombia has experienced a significant increase in violence in recent months, involving clashes between security forces and dissident rebels, paramilitaries and drug gangs;

D.whereas the Colombian authorities have responded by increasing security operations aimed at dismantling dissident networks;

E.whereas despite peace talks and ceasefires, civilians continue to suffer from human rights violations, breaches of international law, widespread violence and impunity; whereas, according to the Indepaz observatory, between 1 January and 29 August 2025, 106 human rights defenders and social leaders were murdered;

F.whereas a strong and democratic Colombia is vital for regional stability and security in Latin America;

1.Expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the recent attacks and expresses its full solidarity with the people of Colombia;

2.Strongly condemns all acts of violence and terrorism, regardless of their perpetrators, and calls on the Colombian Government to carry out the necessary investigations and ensure that those responsible for violence are held accountable;

3.Welcomes the Colombian Government’s efforts to build peace and implement the 2016 Peace Agreement, including the ambitious effort to broaden its scope through the Total Peace initiative, with a focus on inclusive dialogues and the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life;

4.Expresses deep concern about the recent surge in violence and acknowledges the significant challenges posed by the fragmentation of paramilitary groups, the influence of organised criminal gangs, and illegal economies that continue to fuel the conflict; stresses that these challenges make it even more essential to strengthen the EU’s support for the peace efforts;

5.Notes with concern the ongoing political and social instability in Colombia, and calls on all actors to refrain from and address violent and hate speech;

6.Affirms that lasting peace must be founded on social justice, strong democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and prospects for a dignified future, ensuring broad-based participation in peacebuilding and development;

7.Acknowledges the positive impact of the now-concluded European Trust Fund for Peace in Colombia and calls for the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commission and the Member States to reaffirm and reinforce the EU’s political, financial and technical support for the Colombian peace process, reflecting this in the forthcoming multiannual financial framework (MFF), continued high-level political engagement, and the ongoing work of the EU Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process;

8.Emphasises that among the essential elements of a sustained peace are the conduct of inclusive dialogues, investments in socio-economic development and democratic consolidation, ensuring appropriate participation of local authorities and civil society in the process;

9.Calls for increased investments to support the economic transformation of conflict-affected regions, promoting the transition from illegal crops and economies towards sustainable livelihoods;

10.Urges all armed actors, including dissident groups and paramilitaries, to respect international humanitarian law, and in particular to cease attacks against civilians and end the recruitment and use of children and adolescents in conflict;

11.Recalls that political activists, human rights and environmental defenders, women, children and indigenous communities play a critical role in peacebuilding and democratic development, and remain among the groups most vulnerable to violence in Colombia;

12.Calls on the Commission and the Member States to support Colombia with technical and financial assistance aimed at strengthening human rights protections and supporting victims of violence, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups;

13.Welcomes the fact that security will be included in the agenda of the forthcoming EU-CELAC Summit in Santa Marta, and calls for ensuring that, among other priorities, the need for comprehensive security, economic transformation and the protection of vulnerable groups be among the central elements of the discussions and commitments;

14.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the President, Government and Parliament of Colombia.