The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), a transitional justice court established under the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has issued formal charges against former rebel commanders. These legal actions focus on systemic abuses perpetrated against Indigenous populations in the Cauca region.

The tribunal alleges that the former fighters engaged in a pattern of violence intended to exert control over Indigenous territories. According to the JEP, these actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically citing the targeted killing of community leaders, the use of torture, and the mass displacement of families from their ancestral lands. The court’s investigation highlights how Indigenous communities were frequently caught in the crossfire between the FARC, government security forces, and paramilitary groups, often facing retaliation for attempting to remain neutral or protect their autonomy.

This development is part of the JEP’s broader mandate to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes committed during the five-decade conflict. While the peace process aimed to provide a path toward reconciliation, the tribunal’s focus on these specific abuses underscores the ongoing struggle for justice among marginalized groups. The accused former rebels now face the prospect of restricted liberty or prison sentences, depending on their level of cooperation with the tribunal and their willingness to acknowledge their roles in the violence. The JEP continues to gather testimony from victims and perpetrators alike to build a comprehensive record of the conflict's impact on Colombia’s diverse ethnic populations.