Colombia’s Dark Military Scandal Unfolds as JEP Charges Generals

Colombia’s Jurisdictional Special Peace Court (JEP) delivers stunning charges, accusing four generals and 35 officers of war crimes.

They face responsibility for 442 “false positives”—civilians killed and disguised as combat deaths—between 2004 and 2007 in Antioquia. This revelation, announced on February 19, 2025, exposes a grim chapter tied to the 2016 Peace Agreement.

The JEP uncovers a chilling pattern, targeting vulnerable people—peasants, homeless individuals, and 26 minors among the 442 victims. Soldiers lure them with fake job offers, murder them, and stage scenes to claim victories in Colombia’s conflict.

President Alejandro Ramelli stresses the court’s mission, revealing truths hidden in graves, backed by global support. Four retired generals—Óscar González Peña, Luis Pico Hernández, Jorge Rodríguez Clavijo, and Juan Piza Gaviria—command the Fourth Brigade then.

They enforce a “body count” policy, driving the deaths, says Vice President Catalina Díaz. Two civilians also face charges, recruiting victims for cash in this macabre scheme.

Accountability and Justice at a Crossroads

Antioquia reports a quarter of the 6,402 nationwide “false positives” from 2002 to 2008, peaking under President Álvaro Uribe’s hardline security push. The JEP notes 106 top officials charged so far, with 92 confessing, seeking lighter terms.

Families endure threats and stigma, their loved ones’ names tarnished for years. The policy prioritizes kills over captures, inflating success stats for rewards like promotions or U.S. aid.

Díaz explains its cold logic—bodies equal victory, nothing else matters. Now, the accused get 30 days to respond, as victims also prepare arguments, chasing justice long delayed.

This case stirs Colombia’s business world, spotlighting military accountability’s impact on stability and trust. The JEP’s work, rooted in the peace deal, aims to heal a nation scarred by decades of war. Yet, it raises tough questions about past leadership and systemic flaws.

The figures tell a stark story—6,402 dead, 442 in Antioquia alone, a nation reckoning with its shadows. The JEP presses forward, unearthing facts that demand answers. Colombia watches, weighing justice against a painful legacy.