According to the CIVICUS Monitor, civic space in Colombia is rated as “repressed”. Freedom of association is at high risk, with killings of human rights defenders (HRDs) and social leaders reaching a record high in 2022. The violence correlates with operations by illegal armed groups that dispute territorial control of drug trafficking routes. 

In 2023, freedom of expression also experienced difficulties, with various cases of human rights violations towards journalists being reported such as attacks and killings of journalists, intimidation by criminal gangs on media outlets, and gender-based violence against women journalists. 

On 7th August 2022, soon after taking office, President Gustavo Petro announced that he would implement a peace effort to end violence in Colombia. The Total Peace policy is a multifaceted effort that seeks to minimise violence, protect civilians and dismantle the many armed groups operating in Colombia. Petro situated the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement as a core component of the policy as well as a dialogue process with the dissidents of the extinct FARC guerrilla group.

For more information about the country, visit: https://monitor.civicus.org/country/colombia/