Colombia peace tribunal indicts 10 ex-FARC members for anti‑Indigenous war crimes

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace said the charges cover abuses between 1996 and 2016 in southeast Colombia.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:54:22 GMT

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in Colombia charged ten former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Tuesday with war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against five Indigenous groups in the country’s southeast.

What happened

The indictment alleges that between 1996 and 2016 the accused oversaw torture, murder and forced displacement of Indigenous leaders. It also says they ordered subordinates to plant landmines on Indigenous territory and to destroy ecosystems that the tribes depend on for survival.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera noted that the charges were brought by the JEP, Colombia’s transitional justice tribunal established after the 2016 peace deal, and that the magistrate Catalina Diaz described the action as delivering justice to “the most forgotten peoples of a segregated Colombia.” The Independent added that three of the accused are former members of the FARC’s last secretariat, and identified one suspect, Julian Gallo, as a former senator who served eight years in Congress following the peace deal.

What was said

JEP magistrate Catalina Diaz told Al Jazeera, “Today we are delivering justice to the most forgotten peoples of a segregated Colombia,” and added, “These people have had their basic right to exist compromised.” The Independent quoted Yhon Jairo Figueroa, a leader of the Koreguaje tribe, who said at the press conference, “For the first time the Colombian state recognizes that (armed groups) did not just kill individuals. But they attempted to kill the knowledge, the language, the territory of Indigenous groups.”

How it came about

The JEP was created as part of the 2016 peace agreement that ended decades of armed conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC. Earlier this week, Felo News reported a surge in violence and armed‑group activity since that accord, underscoring the broader context in which these new charges are being pursued.

Key facts

Ten former FARC members were charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. (aljazeera.com)
The alleged abuses occurred between 1996 and 2016 against five Indigenous groups in southeast Colombia. (independent.co.uk)
Magistrate Catalina Diaz said the tribunal is delivering justice to forgotten Indigenous peoples. (aljazeera.com)
One of the suspects, Julian Gallo, previously served as a senator for eight years. (independent.co.uk)

Timeline

2016-11-24 — Peace deal signed between Colombian government and FARC, establishing the JEP.
2026-10-13 — Felo News reported surge in violence and armed‑group activity since the 2016 peace deal.
2026-10-14 — JEP indicts ten ex‑FARC members for anti‑Indigenous crimes.