MADRID, 7 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has recognized the progress made by the new Colombian government in its first four months to consolidate peace in the country.

As stated by the Secretary General in the latest report from the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, the Colombian Executive “has taken important steps to stop the violence and consolidate peace.”

Thus, it has recognized the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, the implementation of the Final Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict and the Construction of a Stable and Lasting Peace as a central element of the “total peace” policy of his Government.

In the report, which covers from September 27 to December 26, 2022, Guterres has also highlighted the outreach to rural communities. “It is a clear demonstration that all sectors of Colombian society can and must contribute significantly to the implementation of the Final Agreement,” he added.

However, the report has clarified that “as positive as some of the recent events may be”, violence continues to be the greatest threat to the consolidation of peace in Colombia.

Thus, it has highlighted the insecurity of regions historically affected by a limited State presence, such as Arauca, southern Bolívar, Chocó and Putumayo, which continued to suffer violent acts by illegal armed actors.

Finally, the quarterly report has called the resumption of negotiations between the Petro Administration and the National Liberation Army (ELN) “encouraging”, as well as the work carried out by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), whose work is “decisive to do justice for the serious crimes committed during the conflict”.