Colombian Peace Efforts on Life Support Amid the Covid-19 Response

Published July 9, 2020 Dr Nelson Camilo Sanchez
Livelihood, Land and Rights Colombia

In the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latin America faces unique challenges, not least of which is Colombia’s fragile peace agreement and democratic institutions. The blog critically examines how the Colombian government has responded to the pandemic, producing over 210 legal regulations, a mix of emergency and ordinary measures, to manage the crisis. This confusing legal landscape undermines accountability and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities like corruption and human rights abuses. Yet, the blog notes an active civil society and committed public officials in Colombia are fighting against these trends, proposing significant reforms such as a more equitable tax system and an emergency basic income. Amid a health crisis, the blog argues, the true sickness may be Colombia’s underlying conditions—conditions that demand immediate, transformative solutions.

  • Latin America is now a hotspot for COVID-19, with specific implications for the ongoing fight against poverty and democratic strengthening in the region.
  • Colombia is at a pivotal phase in implementing a historic peace agreement, which faces additional setbacks due to the government’s COVID-19 response.
  • Colombia’s pandemic response includes over 210 new legal regulations, a mix of emergency and ordinary measures, complicating oversight and accountability.
  • The country suffers from four underlying conditions affecting its response to the pandemic: authoritarian tendencies, state capture, widespread corruption, and low government transparency.
  • The Colombian government has exploited the pandemic to forward political agendas, such as attempting to unilaterally reform the 2016 peace agreement.
  • Existing vulnerabilities like corruption have been exacerbated, and attention has shifted away from pressing human rights issues, such as the systematic murder of social leaders.
  • Despite these challenges, Colombia has an active civil society and some committed public officials who are working to counter these negative trends.
  • Proposals like a reformed tax system and emergency basic income offer hope for transformative change that could address both pandemic-related challenges and longer-term issues.
  • Implement reforms to the unequal tax system to alleviate the economic strain caused by COVID-19 and address social inequality.
  • Introduce an emergency basic income system to support vulnerable populations and fulfill social commitments outlined in the peace agreement.
  • Enhance legislative and judicial oversight of new legal regulations, especially those enacted under the guise of emergency powers, to ensure accountability and limit potential abuses.
  • Strengthen transparency measures to combat corruption, particularly in the allocation of emergency funds and contracts.
  • Revert changes that bypass robust safeguards, such as conducting virtual consultations with indigenous communities and environmental hearings, to protect the rights of vulnerable groups.
  • Redirect attention and resources back to ongoing human rights concerns like the systematic murder of social leaders, ensuring these issues are not sidelined by the pandemic.
  • Leverage the strengths of civil society organizations, academics, and committed public officials to formulate and implement more humane and democratic pandemic response strategies.
  • Adopt targeted measures to protect vulnerable groups, including women facing domestic violence and rural communities affected by environmental and social challenges.
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