The United States remains deeply concerned about instability, violence, and illegal drug cultivation and trafficking in Colombia. “The violence and drug trafficking perpetrated by terrorist organizations and illegal armed groups jeopardize the safety of not only Colombians, but the safety of everyone in the region, including Americans,” said Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations.
On March 19, one of these groups, FARC-EP, threatened the UN Verification and Monitoring Mission’s access to territories within its purview.
“We urge the government of Colombia to prioritize addressing these threats that these groups pose with respect to terrorism, other crimes, and abuses,” said Ambassador Locetta.
“Illegal armed groups have precipitated an acute humanitarian crisis while committing rampant abuses against civilians – including forced displacement, confinement, sexual violence, and the unlawful recruitment and use of children in combat,” she added.
“Curbing the cultivation of coca and the production of cocaine is also essential to preventing illegal armed groups from imposing a reign of terror across the country and the region,” stressed Ambassador Locetta. The United States condemns all those who seek to undermine peace through narcotrafficking and terrorist activity.
The United States continues to designate groups active in Colombia as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, cutting off their funding and resources. “There must be no impunity for acts of terror or violence by illegal armed groups,” declared Ambassador Locetta.
According to the Secretary-General’s report, Colombia congressional elections took place with no major disturbances to public order. As Colombia approaches presidential elections, the United States remains vigilant of any actions by groups that threaten the integrity of these elections, warned Ambassador Locetta.
Indeed, “these elections are occurring in the shadow of the assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay last year,” she noted, “a stark reminder of Colombia’s dark days of political violence where political leaders were killed, kidnapped, and prevented from freely campaigning.”
“We condemn death threats made against presidential candidates in Colombia and applaud [UN] Special Representative [Miroslav] Jenča’s condemnation of such threats,” said Ambassador Locetta.
The United States stands with the Colombian people as they work to build lasting peace and security in Colombia.