COLOMBIA · JUSTICE
Key Facts
- The ruling Colombia’s peace tribunal charged nine former commanders of the FARC rebel army on Thursday 29 October 2026.
- The charges War crimes and crimes against humanity in the Tolima, Huila and Quindío regions.
- The scale The tribunal lists 468 documented acts and 94 armed incursions from 1991 to 2016.
- The next step The nine have 20 working days to say whether they accept responsibility.
- Power Index Colombia ranks 6th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 51.9 points (October 2026 edition).
Colombia’s peace tribunal charged nine former commanders of the FARC rebel group with war crimes and crimes against humanity on Thursday 29 October 2026. The charges cover 468 documented acts in the central Andes regions of Tolima, Huila and Quindío.
For US readers, the case tests whether the 2016 peace deal, which ended a war of more than 50 years, can still deliver justice for victims. The tribunal, known by its Spanish initials JEP, is the special court that decides how former rebels answer for their crimes.
In Plain English
- FARC: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a rebel army that fought the state for decades and signed a peace deal in 2016.
- JEP: the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, a court created by that deal to try crimes of the conflict.
- Central Joint Command: the FARC unit that operated in the central mountains of Tolima, Huila and Quindío.
What Happened
The JEP’s Truth Recognition Chamber announced the charges on Thursday. The nine accused led the FARC’s Central Joint Command, the unit that operated across the central mountains.
The tribunal named Pablo Catatumbo Torres Victoria, a former FARC senator, together with Luis Eduardo Rayo, Henoc Capera Trujillo, Jhon Jairo Oliveros Grisales, Gustavo Bocanegra Ortegón, Nelson Antonio Jiménez Gantiva, Wilson Ramírez Guzmán, Víctor Hugo Silva Soto and Raúl Agudelo Medina. Eight are charged as the people most responsible for regional command, and one for a decisive contribution to the crimes.
What the Tribunal Says Happened
The war crimes charged include murder, forced displacement, torture, attacks on civilians and the use of anti-personnel mines. The crimes against humanity include forced disappearance and persecution, and they cannot be amnestied under the peace system.
In April and May 2000, the unit took the town of Puerto Saldaña in Rioblanco, Tolima, where at least 27 civilians were killed, about 200 homes were destroyed and more than 3,600 people were displaced. In July 2000 it attacked Roncesvalles, Tolima, destroying more than 30 buildings and displacing nearly 800 people.
Thirteen police officers who had surrendered in Roncesvalles were killed, the tribunal says. The town’s ombudswoman, Ángela Yesenia Briñez Ballesteros, was also killed after she denounced abuses.
What Happens Next
The nine have 20 working days after notification to say whether they accept the facts, or to explain which parts they reject. The nine also have 30 working days to submit observations and any information that could help locate 30 missing people.
Those who admit responsibility and tell the truth can receive special sanctions without prison, such as limits on their rights and movement. Those who deny the charges face a trial before the JEP’s investigation and prosecution unit, where a conviction can bring up to 20 years in prison.
Why It Matters
The tribunal documented 94 armed incursions by the Central Joint Command between 1991 and 2016, and it grouped the 468 acts into two patterns. One is control of the population and territory, and the other is the conduct of hostilities.
Thursday’s decision is a set of charges, not a conviction, and the nine still have the right to answer. It shows that the peace system is still reaching senior rebel leaders almost a decade after the 2016 deal.
What It Means for You
Nothing changes for visitors today, because the charges concern events from 1991 to 2016 in rural areas. US travelers should still check the State Department’s advisory for Colombia before visiting the Andean interior.
Investors in Colombian assets should read the case as a sign that the transitional justice system keeps working. It does not move markets by itself, but the debate over the peace deal can shape the government’s security policy.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether the nine will admit the charges or contest them. The tribunal has not said when a public hearing would take place if they accept.
It is not known whether the 30 missing people can be found, because that depends on what the nine now tell the tribunal. The tribunal’s published decision gives the full detail of each case.
Connected coverage: read our guides to Colombia’s key players and Colombia’s security and crime, plus our Bogotá city page for the capital. Each page starts with a short summary.
More: Colombia news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Did Colombia’s Peace Court Charge?
The JEP charged nine former commanders of the FARC’s Central Joint Command, including former senator Pablo Catatumbo Torres Victoria. It did so on Thursday 29 October 2026.
Does the Charge Mean the Nine Are Guilty?
It is a formal accusation, not a verdict, and the nine have 20 working days to accept or reject the facts. A conviction can come only after they deny the charges and face trial.
What Punishment Could They Face?
Those who admit guilt and tell the truth can receive special sanctions without prison. Those who deny the charges and lose at trial can face up to 20 years in prison.
Sources: Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), Truth Recognition Chamber, charging decision and public statements, 29 October 2026; JEP, Case 10 on grave crimes by former FARC members not covered by other cases.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief