Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Colombia recently held elections marked by high voter turnout and peaceful, orderly voting processes, supported by security forces and election observers, according to Miroslav Jenča, the UN chief’s Special Representative for Colombia and head of the UN Verification Mission overseeing the 2016 Peace Agreement implementation.
Despite this, Jenča noted ongoing security challenges are particularly acute in areas with insufficient State presence and incomplete implementation of the Peace Agreement, leading to violence driven by armed groups and criminal organizations competing for control over strategic routes and illicit economies.
The UN Verification Mission's mandate was narrowed in October 2025, but the country still held largely peaceful elections in 2026. Jenča also highlighted debate over recent peace initiatives with armed groups, indicating limited results and concerns that these groups may have expanded their influence in some regions.
Addressing these challenges will require holistic solutions as envisioned in the 2016 Peace Agreement, according to Jenča. The UN continues to support Colombia through the Verification Mission and other peacebuilding efforts.