The newly appointed chief of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, Slovak diplomat Miroslav Jenca, stated that all members of the Security Council are committed to peace in the South American country.
In an interview with the local outlet El Espectador, Jenca shared his assessment of the political moment and the implementation of Colombia’s 2016 Peace Agreement, amid an electoral backdrop and recent adjustments to the mandate renewed by the United Nations Security Council.
Despite this unanimous support, the Slovak diplomat acknowledged that it is necessary to adapt the mission to a context of lower international visibility and growing internal tensions, as Colombia approaches a decisive election year that will not only change the presidency but also seek a new balance of political forces in Congress — amid strong polarization surrounding the current government of President Petro.
In a relaxed tone, Jenca shared his first cultural experience in Colombia: Attending a Shakira concert in Bogota, where he said he felt “at home” and witnessed the energy of the country’s women and youth. Such personal experiences, he added, strengthen his connection to the country and reinforce his commitment to the mission’s work.
In his closing message, he urged Colombia to recognize that the Mission received — “once again” — a renewed mandate to support peace, and expressed his desire to contribute in every possible way so the country can move forward “with peace and security” in a nation “so beautiful and with such kind people.”
UN mission chief reaffirms Security Council’s commitment to peace in Colombia
When Jenca officially took office on Oct. 23, he entered a setting shaped by the recent approval of the mission’s mandate renewal by the Security Council, but also by the elimination of two key tasks: Verification of sanctions imposed by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) and monitoring of the ethnic chapter of the Agreement.
This change, he said, “does not weaken” the Peace Agreement; on the contrary, it reaffirms that the Council’s authority remains engaged and that the mission must operate within the framework of the new parameters. In that regard, he clarified that although the mission will no longer have the mandate to verify JEP sanctions, the state’s obligation to implement them remains intact.
Regarding the ethnic chapter, he noted that the mission’s territorial presence continues to be its main advantage for working with ethnic communities, even without the specific mandate that previously included direct monitoring.
When the conversation with El Espectador turned to transitional justice, Jenca defended the work of the JEP as an integral component of the Peace Agreement and Colombia’s constitutional framework. He clarified that the reduction of the U.N. mission’s mandate does not amount to a weakening of JEP, as authority and responsibility lie with the Colombian state.
He also noted that the mission will continue supporting transitional justice processes within the framework of existing mandates, in coordination with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other United Nations agencies. This stance underscores the delicate balance between state sovereignty, international cooperation, and the autonomy of Colombia’s internal processes.
Jenca also highlighted that starting Jan. 1, Colombia will become a full nonpermanent member of the Security Council. This opens the possibility for the country to directly present its concerns or requests before that body, such as reinstating the mandate that was not included in the recent renewal.
However, he reminded that the Council’s final decision depends on consensus and the procedures it determines. This situation, he added, reflects that the international context is as relevant as the national one. He also pointed out that the secretary-general’s next report is scheduled for January, meaning the coming months will be crucial for monitoring the Peace Agreement and for Colombia to make the most of its new position on the Council.
Implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia, nine years later
In his assessment of the progress made so far, nine years after the signing of the Peace Agreement, Jenca noted that the results are visible: The laying down of arms, the reintegration of former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the recovery of territories where communities now live in peace.
For instance, he mentioned that around 9,000 weapons were handed over and about 11,000 ex-combatants are in the reintegration process. What remains pending, however, is the economic and political sustainability of those achievements, for which agrarian reform and security guarantees are essential.
In this regard, the mission’s priorities include reintegration, security guarantees, and agrarian reform, supported by the Development Programs with a Territorial Focus (PDET), which aim to provide a peaceful and sustainable future for both ex-combatants and rural communities.
This focus is crucial in an election year, when political security, space for democratic debate, and citizen participation become vital challenges. Jenca did not hold back in condemning the assassination of Miguel Uribe Turbay, a presidential pre-candidate who was attacked in Bogota several months ago and later died from his injuries.
For the head of the U.N. Verification Mission, this incident is “a warning about the Colombian electoral environment” that confirms “the need for a safe environment for all political players.”
Ultimately, Miroslav Jenca seeks a critical and constructive road map for the next phase of Colombia’s Peace Agreement. In a context where the U.N. mission’s functions have been adjusted, the new chief conveys a message of continued international support while emphasizing the state’s responsibility to ensure transitional justice, agrarian reform, and security amid the electoral process.
His stance combines realism about the limits of his mandate with optimism about the progress already achieved, while highlighting the importance of the role played by civil society, ethnic communities, and former combatants on the path toward a more stable peace.