Colombian Court Faces Uncertainty Amid President-elect's FARC Plans

WHO:

AP News - Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella

AP News - Alejandro Ramelli, president of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP)

AP News - U.S. President Donald Trump

AP News - Outgoing President Gustavo Petro

AP News - National Liberation Army (ELN) and Clan del Golfo cartel

WHAT:

AP News - The tribunal handling crimes related to the conflict with FARC faces uncertainty.

AP News - The SJP has handled cases involving more than 14,000 suspects accused of crimes during the conflict.

AP News - Approximately 70% of the suspects are former FARC guerrillas, 29% are former members of the security forces, and the rest are civilians.

AP News - The SJP’s mandate is to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity until 2028, with an additional five-year period for trials.

AP News - The court has ruled against FARC’s former leadership for more than 21,000 kidnappings and against former military personnel for more than 100 extrajudicial killings.

AP News - A former soldier received a 20-year prison sentence for denying participation in extrajudicial killings.

WHERE:

AP News - Colombia

WHEN:

AP News - The SJP began operating in 2018.

AP News - The SJP's mandate extends until 2028, with a potential five-year extension.

WHY:

AP News - President-elect de la Espriella described the SJP as a “failed” court.

AP News - Analysts and legal experts indicate that dismantling the SJP will be difficult due to constitutional and international safeguards.

AP News - Ramelli stated that closing the SJP would breach Colombia's obligations to the International Criminal Court.

HOW:

AP News - The SJP is protected by Colombia’s Constitution and backed by the International Criminal Court.

AP News - Iván Cancino, de la Espriella’s designated justice minister, stated he does not intend to eliminate the SJP but will demand results and review its spending.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 08:11 UTC)

Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has labeled the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, or SJP, as a “failed” court, raising concerns about its future amid ongoing investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity. The SJP, which began operating in 2018, has handled cases involving over 14,000 suspects, with a significant majority being former FARC guerrillas, and is mandated to continue its work until 2028, potentially extending for another five years. Despite calls for reform, analysts suggest dismantling the SJP will be challenging due to constitutional protections and international obligations, as emphasized by Alejandro Ramelli, president of the SJP.