Acuerdo de Catatumbo

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Colombia
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Acuerdo de Catatumbo
Date: 3 May 2025
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Colombian Conflict (1964 - )
The Colombian conflict is really a set of conflicts and the peace agreements reflect both different processes relating to different conflict groups and dyads, and processes taking place at different times in a complex peace process history. The Colombian civil war has its roots in the late 1940s and the violent infighting between liberal and the conservative factions. Emerging from the liberal tradition with a thorough grounding in nationalist communist ideology, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC) began its armed insurrection against the Colombian government in 1964. Other left-wing guerrillas emerged as well, most notably the socialist/populist M-19, which would later be integrated into the formal political system in the peace process of 1990s; the National Liberation Army (ELN), which has strong roots in liberation theology, and the Maoist Ejército Popular de Liberación (EPL) (also part of the 1990 process, less successfully). Several stages of peace processes were undertaken by the various sides, which were further complicated by the emergence of right-wing paramilitary ‘self-defence’ forces. The peace agreement between the Colombian government under President Uribe and the main alliance of the paramilitary groups, the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), concluded in 2005 and is still heavily disputed as several remnants are still active, but now subsumed under the heading ‘Bacrim’ (Bandas criminales). In addition, FARC and ELN maintain a military presence, but both demonstrate a strong interest in completing successful peace negotiations with the government, with the most recent agreements being between FARC and the Government.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Colombia VII - Petro Peace Dialogues with FARC-EP
Parties: National Government Delegates:

Gloria Quinceno Acevedo, Delegate of the Government in the Peace Dialogue Table
Luz Dary Landazury M, Delegate of the National Government
Genny Calvo, Delegate of the National Government in the Peace Dialogue Table
Feliciano Valencia Medina, Delegate of the National Government in the Peace Dialogue Table
Carlos Murgas Dávila, Delegate of the National Government in the Peace Dialogue Table

Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP:

Jhon Mendoza, Representative EMBF FARC-EP
Andrey Avendaño, Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP
Richard Suarez, Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP
Willinton Henao, Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP
Javier 33, Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement between the Colombian National Government and Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP establishes a Temporary Location Zone (ZUT) in rural Tibú, Norte de Santander, where members of Front 33 will be concentrated as part of the ongoing peace dialogue process. The ZUT is grounded in Law 2272 of 2022 and Decree 0448 of 2025, and guarantees the functioning of state institutions and respect for community rights within its boundaries. The delegations committed to developing further agreements and protocols governing the ZUT's operation, phasing, and duration.

Agreement document: CO_250503_Acuerdo de Catatumbo_EN (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CO_250503_Acuerdo de Catatumbo (opens in new tab)| Download PDF
Source of document: https://www.consejeriacomisionadadepaz.gov.co/prensa/Paginas/Acuerdo-de-Catatumbo.aspx

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
In compliance with Decree 0448 of 17 April 2025 and having reached an advanced stage of the process, it was decided to establish a Temporary Location Zone (ZUT) in the rural area of the municipality of Tibú, Norte de Santander, where the members of Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP will be located.
The ZUT, as stipulated in Law 2272 of 2022, is geographically delimited and within it the Social Rule of Law and the functioning of the institutions that will participate in the territorial transformations agreed upon within the framework of the Peace Dialogue Table will be guaranteed, with the active participation of the communities of Catacumbo, with respect for their rights and freedoms.
In defining the ZUT, the proposals submitted by the parties were analysed and evaluated, and its location was finally agreed upon, taking into account the security, logistical, geographical and administrative conditions required to meet the basic needs of temporary residence for the members of Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP who will participate in the peace process with social and environmental justice.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: In compliance with Decree 0448 of 17 April 2025 and having reached an advanced stage of the process, it was decided to establish a Temporary Location Zone (ZUT) in the rural area of the municipality of Tibú, Norte de Santander, where the members of Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP will be located.
In defining the ZUT, the proposals submitted by the parties were analysed and evaluated, and its location was finally agreed upon, taking into account the security, logistical, geographical and administrative conditions required to meet the basic needs of temporary residence for the members of Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP who will participate in the peace process with social and environmental justice.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

CATACUMBO AGREEMENT

In the city of San José de Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, an extraordinary meeting was held between Delegates of the National Government and representatives of the “Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP” and, within the framework of the Peace Dialogue Table that is being advanced, they agreed:

In compliance with Decree 0448 of 17 April 2025 and having reached an advanced stage of the process, it was decided to establish a Temporary Location Zone (ZUT) in the rural area of the municipality of Tibú, Norte de Santander, where the members of Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP will be located.

The ZUT, as stipulated in Law 2272 of 2022, is geographically delimited and within it the Social Rule of Law and the functioning of the institutions that will participate in the territorial transformations agreed upon within the framework of the Peace Dialogue Table will be guaranteed, with the active participation of the communities of Catacumbo, with respect for their rights and freedoms.

In defining the ZUT, the proposals submitted by the parties were analysed and evaluated, and its location was finally agreed upon, taking into account the security, logistical, geographical and administrative conditions required to meet the basic needs of temporary residence for the members of Front 33 of the EMBF FARC-EP who will participate in the peace process with social and environmental justice.

The Delegations will draw up the necessary Agreements and Protocols for the establishment and operation of the ZUT, as well as the duration of each phase.

In witness whereof, signed in San José de Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, on 3 May 2025, by the delegations to the Roundtable.

GLORIA QUINCENO ACEVEDO

Delegate of the Government

in the Peace Dialogue Table

JHON MENDOZA

Representative EMBF FARC-EP

LUZ DARY LANDAZURY M

Delegate of the National Government

ANDREY AVENDAÑO

Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP

GENNY CALVO

Delegate of the National Government

in the Peace Dialogue Table

RICHARD SUAREZ

Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP

FELICIANO VALENCIA MEDINA

Delegate of the National Government

in the Peace Dialogue Table

WILLINTON HENAO

Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP

CARLOS MURGAS DÁVILA

Delegate of the National Government

in the Peace Dialogue Table

JAVIER 33

Delegate Front 33 EMBF FARC-EP

Acuerdo de Catatumbo

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Source agreement