Experts at Tom Lantos briefing: Colombia’s 2016 peace accord implementation is lagging as violence and aid cuts rise

At a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission briefing on Colombia, U.S. lawmakers and an expert panel said implementation of the 2016 peace agreement remains incomplete and that recent spikes in violence, forced displacement and reductions in U.S. assistance threaten gains on reconciliation and rural development.

The panelists — Claire Silke of the Congressional Research Service; Ángela Ramírez of the Kroc Institute’s Barometer Initiative; Monsignor Héctor Fabio Einar of the Episcopal Conference delegate for Church–State relations and director of FICOMPAS; Ximena Sánchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and Marino Córdoba of the National Association of Displaced Afro-Colombians (AfroRES) — outlined data and field observations showing uneven implementation, increasing activity by armed groups and specific recommendations for U.S. and international engagement.

“The Peace Accords offer a clear roadmap for advancing peace, stability, and opportunity in Colombia,” Ángela Ramírez said, summarizing the Barometer Initiative’s monitoring work. Ramírez said her team tracks 578 commitments from the 2016 accord: 34 commitments had been fully implemented as of May, about 20% were at an intermediate stage, 37% were at a minimum level of implementation and 9% had not started. She said those figures meant “nearly half of the commitments … are facing serious challenges in reaching full implementation within the 15‑year timeline.”

Panelists described where implementation has stalled. Ramírez and others said rural reform, political participation measures and drug policy provisions have lagged. Ramírez also said about 9,500 accredited…