Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Colombia

Country Overview:  In 2024, the Colombian government held negotiation processes with various nonstate armed groups, including the U.S.-designated FTOs ELN, FARC-EP, and SM. Colombia attributed responsibility for at least 323 attacks to these organizations.  The expansion of criminal organizations, the failure to uphold ceasefires, and territorial disputes among these groups exacerbated insecurity, restricted mobility and access to basic goods for local populations, and created a humanitarian crisis and displacement in several regions.  On October 30, the United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Verification Mission for one more year, including monitoring the ceasefire with the ELN, which attacked a military base in September.  Only the ceasefire with EMBF remained active at the end of 2024. Colombia’s “Submission Law,” which would provide a legal framework for criminal organizations and illegal armed groups to surrender to the government, had not been passed.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  The Colombian Government estimated that 447 combat incidents took place in 2024, leading to the arrests of 14,684 members of nonstate armed groups.  Compared with 2023, the number of combat incidents rose by 52 percent, and voluntary surrenders increased by 17 percent.  Additionally, authorities seized 3,510 weapons and detonated 18,672 explosive devices, an 88 percent increase over 2023.  Terrorists employed tactics such as bombings, violence against civilian populations, hostage takings, and violent attacks against military and police facilities.

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