Colombian narco-terrorist groups grew by 90 percent during Gustavo Petro’s four-year presidency, expanding from 15,120 members at the end of 2022 to 28,802 by July 2026, according to a report by the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP) cited by newspaper El Tiempo.
The sharpest growth was recorded in the Clan del Golfo, Colombia’s largest criminal organization, which more than doubled from 4,061 to 12,268 known members. The group was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States in December 2025 under Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
FARC dissident factions also expanded significantly, growing to 10,424 members despite the original Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia formally disbanding after signing a peace deal in 2016. The National Liberation Army (ELN) similarly continued to increase its presence across multiple regions.
The expansion occurred under Petro’s Total Peace policy, which sought negotiations with all armed groups instead of military confrontation. While the policy produced some limited agreements, it effectively granted armed organizations greater territorial control and time to recruit, according to critics.
Security data compiled by the ACLED research project showed that during the first 30 months of Petro’s administration, 26.7 million Colombians were exposed to organized violence, a 24 percent increase over the previous period. Armed groups also intensified attacks on local officials, with 94 incidents in 2023 alone.
Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president since independence, is barred from seeking a consecutive second term. His mandate concludes on August 7 with the inauguration of conservative winner Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to repeal the Total Peace framework and launch military operations against armed groups.
The report is likely to shape debate over Petro’s legacy as his presidency ends. Supporters argue his diplomatic approach reduced direct confrontations between the state and armed groups, while opponents point to the dramatic expansion of narco-terrorist organizations as proof the strategy failed.
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