The Destruction of USAID Threatens a Fragile Peace in Colombia

Might the civil war resume?

Colombia’s 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was a landmark agreement that sought to end over five decades of conflict that had left more than 260,000 dead and millions displaced. This peace deal was more than simply a laying down of arms. Rather, the deal laid out comprehensive reforms, particularly in rural development, political participation, and protections for victims, with international donors—especially the United States—playing a critical role in its implementation.

Now, the abrupt shuttering of USAID programs in Colombia threatens to undermine these efforts, jeopardizing both peacebuilding initiatives and U.S. credibility in the region. Furthermore, this move is coming just as Colombia is facing its worst security crisis in years. Since the start of the year, there been a surge in violence, particularly in rural areas. This violence is casting doubt on Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s "total peace" strategy, which relies on negotiations…