José Alirio Chochué Molano, who had been released following the peace agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and the former FARC guerrillas, was killed in a rural area of Cauca, a region long troubled by violence in the southwest of the country. The incident underscores the continued volatility in areas where post-conflict arrangements meet difficult local realities and the fragility of security under transitional arrangements.
The NGO Institute for Development and Peace Studies, known as Indepaz, reported on social media that Chochué was killed at his home by a group of armed men in the hamlet of Loma Larga. Police confirmed that his body was found at his residence with multiple gunshot wounds, highlighting the dangers faced by demobilized individuals and other local residents in parts of Cauca where insecurity persists.
Indepaz has repeatedly noted the presence of local criminal networks alongside factions like the Dagoberto Ramos front of the Central General Staff, an organization viewed as a significant opponent of FARC remnants. These dynamics complicate the peace process and complicate local governance, policing, and community safety.
Recent political developments include the third cycle of peace talks between the national government and remnants aligned with EMC, culminating in an agreement of commitments focused on social inclusion, socio-environmental issues, and territorial transformation in Bogotá. A fourth round was announced for March, with the EMC pledging to reduce violence in all regions and to suspend kidnappings for ransom or economic purposes. These commitments aim to stabilize communities still affected by conflict and to foster broader social and environmental justice.
With Chochué’s death, four peace signatories have been murdered in Colombia so far this year, according to Indepaz, which tracks the fate of demobilized individuals. Indepaz’s ongoing reporting shows that from September 26, 2016, to January 15, 2024, a total of 411 former combatants were killed, underscoring the continuing risks faced by those who participated in the peace process and the communities that supported them. These data points illustrate the persistent challenges in achieving durable security, even as transitional frameworks attempt to integrate former combatants into civilian life and local governance structures.