The Global Terrorism Index 2026 delivers a stark warning: Colombia has returned to the list of the world’s 10 countries most impacted by terrorism, ranking ninth after more than a decade outside this list. It is a development that not only signals a deterioration in security conditions but also underscores a deeper structural challenge, one that contrasts sharply with global progress.
At a time when much of the world is experiencing a decline in terrorism, Colombia is moving in the opposite direction. The report highlights that “terrorism-related deaths fell by 28% globally and attacks declined by nearly 22%, with 81 countries improving their scores.” Yet Colombia stands out as one of the few nations where violence is intensifying, revealing a troubling divergence from international trends. This reversal is particularly significant given the country’s trajectory over the past decade.
Since 2013, Colombia had, until now, managed to stay out of the top ranks of terrorism-affected nations, reflecting gains linked to demobilization efforts and security policies. However, the 2026 index makes clear that those gains are now under strain. The data suggests that rather than consolidating peace, the country is navigating a renewed cycle of conflict dynamics.
According to the report, from 2007 to 2025, Colombia has accumulated 2,143 terrorism-related deaths, a figure that illustrates the persistence of violence over nearly two decades. While the long-term trend includes periods of improvement, recent years have introduced particularly critical spikes, pointing to a fragile equilibrium that has been disrupted.
The report frames Colombia’s current situation not as an isolated fluctuation but as part of a broader pattern of fragmented armed activity, territorial disputes, and evolving tactics. These dynamics, it argues, are reshaping the landscape of violence in ways that are harder to contain and predict.
A surge in attacks and deaths marks a critical turning point for Colombia
The scale of the recent escalation is difficult to ignore. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, the number of terrorist attacks in Colombia jumped from 301 in 2024 to 442 in 2025, reflecting a dramatic increase in operational intensity. At the same time, 213 deaths were recorded, the highest figure since the index began tracking the country.
This surge represents more than just a statistical increase; it signals a turning point in the evolution of the conflict. The report suggests that Colombia is entering a phase where violence is not only more frequent but also more lethal and geographically concentrated.
One of the most revealing aspects of the data is the targeting pattern. The report notes that “military and police forces remained the primary targets, accounting for 94 of the 213 deaths recorded that year.” This indicates a sustained effort by armed groups to challenge state authority directly, particularly in regions where institutional presence is limited or contested.
At the same time, the impact on civilians has grown significantly. The index emphasizes that “despite attacks primarily targeting state forces, civilians represented more than 50% of total deaths in 2025.” This shift highlights the increasingly blurred lines between combatants and noncombatants, a hallmark of modern asymmetric conflicts.
The month of August 2025 stands out as especially deadly. The report describes it as “a particularly lethal period in Colombia,” reflecting a concentration of high-impact attacks that contributed disproportionately to the annual death toll.
Such spikes underscore the volatility of the security environment and the capacity of armed groups to escalate violence rapidly. Together, these figures paint a picture of a conflict that is intensifying in both scale and complexity, one that challenges conventional approaches to security and conflict resolution.
Southwestern Colombia is the epicenter of violence
Geography plays a crucial role in understanding the current surge in terrorism. The Global Terrorism Index 2026 identifies southwestern Colombia as the epicenter of violence, with the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca bearing the brunt of attacks.
The report states: “Southwestern regions of Colombia, particularly Cauca and Valle del Cauca, recorded the highest number of terrorist incidents this year, accounting for 84% of all attacks nationwide in 2025.” This level of concentration is striking and suggests that the conflict is being shaped by localized dynamics, including territorial control, illicit economies, and logistical corridors.
In Cauca alone, 181 attacks resulted in 66 deaths, making it one of the most affected regions in the country. Neighboring Valle del Cauca recorded 59 attacks and 31 deaths, reinforcing the idea that violence is clustered rather than evenly distributed.
These regions are strategically significant. Their geography (marked by mountainous terrain, dense forests, and proximity to key trafficking routes) creates conditions that facilitate the movement and operations of armed groups. At the same time, limited state presence in certain areas allows these groups to exert influence over local populations.
The report also highlights how these dynamics affect communities on the ground. Attacks often disrupt daily life, restrict mobility, and undermine access to essential services. In many cases, residents are forced to navigate a complex landscape of control, where multiple armed actors compete for dominance.
This localized concentration of violence suggests that national-level strategies may need to be complemented by targeted regional approaches that address the specific drivers of conflict in these areas.
Armed groups expand their reach as new technologies allow them to consolidate greater territorial control
A key factor behind the increase in violence is the growing strength and adaptability of armed groups. The Global Terrorism Index 2026 identifies FARC dissidents as the most significant actor, responsible for more than 60% of attacks and deaths.
In 2025 alone, these groups carried out 283 attacks and caused 125 deaths, representing a 40% increase compared to the previous year. The report suggests that their expansion is driven by a combination of territorial ambitions, economic incentives, and strategic opportunism.
The National Liberation Army (ELN) also remains highly active, with 150 attacks and 88 deaths, reflecting increases of 32% and 60%, respectively. Together, these groups are reshaping the conflict landscape, creating overlapping zones of influence and competition.
One of the most concerning developments highlighted in the report is the adoption of new technologies. It notes that “FARC dissident factions and ELN have rapidly adopted commercial drones as a primary weapon, drawing direct inspiration from military innovations observed in Ukraine.”
Between 2024 and 2025, Colombia recorded 77 drone-related attacks, involving explosive-laden unmanned aircraft. These attacks resulted in 10 deaths and more than 134 injuries, demonstrating the growing sophistication of armed groups and their ability to adapt global tactics to local contexts.
The use of drones represents a significant shift in the nature of the conflict. It allows groups to conduct attacks with greater precision and reduced risk, while also creating new challenges for security forces. Traditional defense mechanisms are often ill-equipped to counter such threats, requiring updated strategies and technologies.
‘Total Peace’ under pressure amid a shifting armed conflict
The findings of the Global Terrorism Index 2026 raise critical questions about the effectiveness of current policy approaches, particularly the “Total Peace” strategy introduced by President Gustavo Petro in 2022.
The report acknowledges that the strategy initially facilitated dialogue and temporary ceasefires with various armed groups. However, it also warns that these pauses in hostilities may have had unintended consequences. According to the analysis, some groups used ceasefires to strengthen their positions, expand territorially, and prepare for renewed confrontation.
This dynamic reflects a broader challenge in conflict resolution: how to balance the pursuit of peace with the need to maintain security and prevent exploitation by armed actors. The Colombian case illustrates how fragile such processes can be, particularly in contexts where multiple groups with differing agendas are involved.
At the same time, the report suggests that the evolving nature of the conflict requires adaptive and inclusive strategies. Traditional approaches focused solely on military responses may not be sufficient to address the complex drivers of violence, which include economic inequality, governance gaps, and local power dynamics.
The emphasis on inclusive language and policy is particularly relevant. Sustainable peace, the report implies, depends not only on negotiations with armed groups but also on the inclusion of affected communities in decision-making processes. Ensuring that diverse voices are heard can help build trust and create more resilient solutions.
Ultimately, Colombia’s return to the top 10 of the Global Terrorism Index serves as a reminder that progress is not linear. Gains achieved in one period can be reversed if underlying issues remain unresolved. As the report makes clear, the country is at a crossroads, facing the challenge of adapting to a changing conflict while striving to protect its population and strengthen its institutions.