Norway has been involved in peace and reconciliation efforts in Colombia for many decades. Norway is a guarantor country for the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement with the former guerilla group FARC-EP, now transformed into a political party under the name COMUNES. Norway is also a guarantor country for the negotiations with the ELN, which resumed in November 2022 and were facilitated by Norway, and for two negotiating processes with splinter groups of FARC-EP. Norway also provides technical support for the dialogue on disarming urban criminal groups.

As a guarantor country, we provide broad ongoing support to the parties, making practical, political and financial contributions. One key task is to safeguard the negotiating process and provide assistance to ensure compliance with the rules agreed by the parties.

Implementation of the peace agreement with FARC-EP

Norway and Cuba were guarantor countries for the peace process between the Colombian Government and FARC-EP. The peace talks were launched in Oslo in October 2012 following secret preliminary negotiations between the parties on a framework for the process. The final peace agreement was signed in November 2016 after four years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba.

In January 2016 the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2261 on the establishment of an observer mission to monitor and verify the definitive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. Since September 2018, the mission’s mandate has included verification of the implementation of security guarantees and the reintegration of former FARC-EP combatants into society. The extension of the mandate is discussed annually by the Security Council at the request of the parties.

After the peace agreement was ratified, FARC-EP became a political party, COMUNES, with representation in the Colombian Congress. Together with Cuba, Norway still has a formal role as a guarantor country for the implementation of the peace agreement and participates in the multipartite Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement (CSIVI).

Norway provides financial support for the implementation of the peace agreement, with a particular focus on transitional justice, i.e. support for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and the now concluded Truth Commission, two institutions established to safeguard the post-conflict judicial process. The funding is also being used to support the reintegration of former combatants into society; promote the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda; and to carry out efforts in the areas of education and health, productive projects, and mine clearance activities.

Colombia has made considerable progress in implementing the agreement, especially in terms of the reintegration of former FARC-EP combatants, but much work remains to be done. The agreed-upon rural reform has started, including the work to distribute land to ex-combatants. More than 90 % of the former 13 500 FARC-EP soldiers who signed the agreement are nevertheless honoring their commitments under the agreement and want to continue the reintegration process and return to normal life.

The system for transitional justice established under the peace agreement has been highlighted internationally as an example for others to follow. At the same time, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace is facing growing criticism for its lengthy processes and slow pace in delivering judgments. In September 2025 the Special Jurisdiction for Peace delivered its first two judgements.  

There are many remaining challenges to be addressed in a society as polarised as Colombia. Local civil society leaders, human rights campaigners and former combatants are still being killed in large numbers. The emergence of illegal groups in former FARC-EP areas makes the security situation more difficult.

Comprehensive implementation of the 2016 agreement is vital to the success of other negotiating processes taking place in Colombia.

The processes involving the ELN and splinter/dissident groups of FARC-EP (EMBF and CNEB)

The dialogue between the ELN and the Colombian authorities in practice ground to a halt in the period 2018–2022, but talks were resumed, facilitated by Norway, after the current Government took office. See also:

Norway is participating in the negotiations alongside the other guarantor countries Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the Catholic Church in Colombia are also involved as accompanying parties. A ceasefire agreement concluded between the Government and the ELN in August 2023 expired on 3 August 2024. An important agreement on public participation in the peace process was signed in May 2024. The negotiations were partially ‘frozen’ in autumn 2024 and then suspended by President Gustavo Petro in January 2025 in response to an armed attack by the ELN in Catatumbo, northern Colombia.

Norway also acts as a guarantor country for the negotiations with the FARC-EP dissident groups: EMBF (Estado Mayor de los Bloques y Frente), launched in autumn 2023; and CNEB (Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano), launched in 2024. 

Norway is a guarantor country for the negotiation process with EMBF together with Ireland, Switzerland and Venezuela. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches also participate.

In the process with CNEB, Norway helped launch the negotiations and serves as a guarantor country along with Switzerland, the Netherlands and Venezuela. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the Catholic Church in Colombia are involved as accompanying parties.