Colombia
Colombia exhibits mid-range performance across all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. It performs among the top 25 per cent globally in Free Political Parties, Local Democracy and Judicial Independence, and in the bottom 25 per cent in Economic Equality. Over the last five years, its democratic performance has been stable, with no significant changes. Colombia is an upper middle-income country, and its main exports include crude petroleum, coal, coffee and gold.
Since 1964, Colombia has faced an armed conflict involving the government and various guerrilla and paramilitary groups, including the now inactive Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN). Contributing factors included public frustration with the substantial inequality between a small elite and an impoverished majority (with few formal mechanisms for political participation), and the exclusion of guerrilla groups from the power sharing agreement between Liberals and Conservatives in the 1960s. A 2016 Peace Accord led to the disarmament of 13,000 FARC who for the first time occupied seats in Congress. However, the treaty excluded other armed groups, allowing new factions to fill the power vacuum. The conflict has since evolved into more fragmented and regional forms of violence involving actors such as the ELN and dissident FARC groups. In 2022, the government established a 'Total Peace' plan—aiming to end the conflict through peace negotiations with all active armed groups—as state policy. Despite the ongoing peace process, ceasefire violations, killings, kidnappings and displacement of civilians, and other forms of violence have not ceased.
The initial bipartisan arrangement (Frente Nacional) has evolved into a multiparty system. After decades of conservative governments, the country elected its first leftist government in 2022. The Pacto Historico coalition won with a campaign platform promising peace, social and environmental justice and pushing for reforms in health, land and pensions to benefit marginalized communities. However, lacking a congressional majority, the government has struggled to pass reforms. As the 2026 general elections approach, political tensions are rising amid the government's clashes with Congress, accusations of attempting to bypass it—that fueled accusations of authoritarianism—and criticism over the handling of a worsening armed conflict. A surge in violence and a humanitarian crisis have sparked calls for a strong military response, while corruption scandals have further eroded trust in the ruling party and been at the center of political debate.
Colombia, a former Spanish colony, gained independence in 1819 after nearly a decade of war. It is a multicultural country with almost 90 per cent of its population being Mestizo and White. Minority groups, including Afro-descendants and Indigenous communities, are disproportionally affected by poverty, inequality, forced displacement and landlessness.
Colombia has made significant strides toward gender equality through laws and policies that include protections for victims of gender-based violence, gender quotas, same-sex marriage, and a newly approved National Care Policy. However, challenges persist with alarming rates of gender-based violence and femicides that disproportionally impact Indigenous and Afro-Colombian women and LGTBQIA+ people.
Looking ahead, it will be important to follow the ongoing peace talks and their impacts on Personal Integrity and Security and Social Group Equality amidst recent violent escalations. Furthermore, whether recently enacted policies and constitutional changes translate to an improvement in areas like health, labor rights and pensions, will be key to Colombia’s performance in Political Equality and its subfactors.
Last updated: July 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
April 2026
Surge in armed violence ahead of presidential elections
An escalation in armed violence in late April has raised concerns regarding the security environment ahead of Colombia’s 31 May presidential election. Dissident groups of the dissolved FARC reportedly carried out at least 26 coordinated attacks involving explosives and drones, including a bombing along the Pan-American Highway on 26 April that resulted in the deaths of 21 civilians. The violence reflects a broader deterioration in security conditions, with 48 mass killings (of three or more people) recorded nationwide by the end of April -- already surpassing half of the total registered in 2025. Analysts suggest that armed groups may be seeking to consolidate territorial control and strengthen their political leverage in anticipation of a possible change in government. The events have triggered a widespread concern about voter intimidation, restrictions on campaigning and movement, and the impact on electoral participation in affected areas.
Sources: AP News, Rio Times, The Guardian, NPR
March 2026
Colombia holds legislative elections
On 8 March, Colombia held legislative elections for the Senate (108 seats) and House of Representatives (188 seats), alongside intra-party presidential primaries. Voter turnout reached 50.6 per cent, up from 47.0 per cent in 2022. Preliminary results revealed a fragmented Congress, with no single political force securing a majority. The governing Pacto Histórico emerged as the largest bloc in the Senate, while traditional and center-right parties maintained influence in the House, highlighting the need for coalition-based governance ahead of the May presidential election. Women secured around 29.0 per cent of seats, representing little change from the 29.1 per cent recorded in the previous legislature (2022–2026), despite the continued application of gender quota requirements. National and international election observation missions assessed the elections as competitive and well-administered but raised concerns over incidents of campaign violence, vote-buying, and unequal conditions in conflict-affected areas.
Sources: Directorio Legislativo, IPU, Colombia One, EEAS, MOE, OAS
December 2025
Former ministers charged over alleged vote-buying scheme
On 1 December, Colombia's Attorney General charged former Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla and former Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco – who were in office between 2023 and 2024 – with corruption, including criminal conspiracy and bribery. The charges allege that the former officials directed public funds from disaster management and infrastructure agencies to companies linked to lawmakers in exchange for congressional support for government-backed legislation, such as pension reforms. Prosecutors claim the scheme involved contracts exceeding USD 150 million and was part of a broader effort to secure legislative majorities. Both ex-ministers deny the allegations, asserting their innocence.
Sources: El Colombiano, AP News, InfoBae
November 2025
Government’s airstrikes kill children and spark human rights debate
In November, Colombia faced intense scrutiny over military airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 12 minors forcibly recruited by armed groups. These operations, targeting dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), have reignited debates about human rights abuses in the country. President Gustavo Petro, who initially suspended airstrikes upon taking office in 2022 to avoid civilian casualties, reinstated them last year amid escalating violence. The deaths of children in these strikes have drawn criticism from human rights advocates and opposition lawmakers, who argue that such actions violate international humanitarian law. The government defends the strikes as necessary to combat illegal armed groups, blaming these groups for using children as human shields. However, critics highlight the lack of effective intelligence and the failure to address systemic issues like forced recruitment.
Sources: El País, AP News, Reuters, Le Monde, Al Jazeera
Alvaro Uribe’s brother sentenced for paramilitary activities
On 25 November, the Superior Tribunal of Antioquia sentenced Santiago Uribe, brother of former President Álvaro Uribe (2002 - 2010), to 28 years in prison for crimes against humanity, aggravated homicide, and conspiracy to commit a crime. The court found Santiago Uribe guilty of leading the paramilitary group ‘The 12 Apostles’, which operated in the 1990s and was responsible for systematic killings and other human rights abuses. According to the ruling, the group carried out ‘social cleansing’, targeting individuals deemed undesirable, with documented collusion from state security forces. This landmark ruling marks an important step to ensuring accountability in the context of allegations of state-paramilitary collusion. Human rights organizations have commended the decision as a step forward for victims and an important effort to curtail the influence of paramilitary groups within Colombian society.
Sources: El País, InfoBae, Al Jazeera
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