Armed Violence and Threats Shadow Colombia's Final Days Before Presidential Vote

CNN Español reported that armed threats, campaign worker targeting, and guerrilla activity were darkening Colombia's pre-election landscape just six days before the May 31 first-round vote. The 2026 campaign had become the most violent in decades: 61 political leaders killed since the cycle began, lethal electoral violence up 18.9% versus the 2022 cycle, and a journalist — Mateo Pérez Rueda — killed after being detained by an armed group in May. The FARC Estado Mayor Central (EMC, Mordisco faction) had recorded a 35% surge in violent incidents in recent months, with 78% of nationally-recorded armed clashes involving the EMC. Total armed group combatants now exceed 25,000 — up approximately 85% since 2017, driven partly by the negotiation window allowing groups to recruit and expand. The ELN, with roughly 5,000 fighters, had suspended formal peace talks after the January 2025 Catatumbo massacre. ACLED analysis warned that Petro's Total Peace policy had paradoxically allowed armed groups to grow stronger during the negotiation window.