Colombia’s search efforts for the disappeared involve collaboration between former FARC members and grieving families, highlighting the emotional scars of a prolonged conflict. The 2016 peace agreement provided a framework for accountability but faced challenges in implementation, and violence persists. Despite societal stigma against former combatants, search units have made significant progress in locating missing persons, reaffirming the collective need for healing and reconciliation.
Gustavo Arbeláez, a former member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), often encounters the families of victims affected by his past actions during Colombia’s intense armed conflict. Facing accusations of loss, he reflects on the dreams extinguished by violence, lamenting a lack of appreciation for life during the war. Although he does not regret his involvement, he recognizes the profound impact of the conflict on his and countless others’ lives.
The Colombian conflict, which involved various armed factions, resulted in over 450,000 deaths and 124,000 disappearances. This historical backdrop of violence resembles other Latin American conflicts, where numerous individuals have gone missing due to similar circumstances. However, Colombia has initiated an effort to heal historical wounds by uniting different stakeholders to search for the missing, aiming for reconciliation.
The peace agreement signed in 2016—recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize for former President Juan Manuel Santos—did not fully address the systemic issues of violence and inequality that fueled the conflict. Current President Gustavo Petro, leading Colombia’s first leftist administration since 2022, strives for “total peace,” seeking disarmament of all rebel groups and drug gangs. However, negotiations have faced hurdles, and violence persists, complicating the peace process.
Rev. Arturo Arrieta emphasized that a peace deal transcends merely laying down arms; it requires sustainable actions and funding for implementation. The agreement established crucial institutions, including the Truth Commission, Special Jurisdiction for Peace, and the Search Unit for Disappeared Persons, aimed at addressing disappearances from the conflict and facilitating the return of remains to grieving families.
Family members like Doris Tejada, whose son was a victim of a false positive—a civilian killed and mislabeled as a rebel—suffer long-lasting trauma. Tejada’s quest for justice and a proper burial for her son reflects the painful remorse many families endure, as well as the inconsistent accountability for military crimes.
Arbeláez, who joined FARC amid threats to his life, believes that external circumstances often lead individuals into violent roles. He underscores the complexities surrounding the conflict and expresses a commitment to aiding search efforts for the disappeared, alongside other former FARC members working with Corporación Reencuentros.
Despite some societal backlash against former rebels involved in search efforts, Marcela Rodríguez of the Valle del Cauca search unit asserts humanity transcends political affiliations, emphasizing a collective responsibility to seek missing persons. During the past years, the search unit has successfully located 31 individuals alive and returned 354 remains to families, contributing to the peace of those affected.
Today, the challenging landscape of Colombia’s geography complicates search operations, demanding extensive travel to remote regions. The ongoing pursuit of closure fuels individuals like María Fénix Torres and Melba Bernal, who tirelessly advocate for the search of their missing relatives, despite threats and enduring financial hardships.
Individuals like Bernal highlight the desperation and pain that many families face. They maintain their commitment to finding closure through their loved ones and advocate for awareness regarding the traumatic consequences of Colombia’s violent past.
The search for the disappeared in Colombia is rooted in a prolonged conflict that has caused significant loss and suffering amongst families. The ongoing violence has led to a historical context characterized by targeted killings, false positives, and societal divisions between former combatants and victims. Efforts toward peace, such as the 2016 peace deal, have sparked initiatives aimed at reconciliation, yet challenges persist regarding conflict resolution, accountability, and social healing.
The quest for justice and truth surrounding Colombia’s disappeared remains fraught with emotional and logistical challenges. As families seek closure, the collaboration between former combatants and local organizations offers hope amidst ongoing violence. The peace process has made strides toward addressing past atrocities, but the journey to healing is long, with many individuals steadfast in their commitment to uncovering the truth about their loved ones’ fates.
Original Source: kbindependent.org
