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STORY: UN / COLOMBIA
TRT: 03:40
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / SPANISH / NATS
DATELINE: 21 APRIL 2026, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
21 APRIL 2026, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVIC):
“Despite concerns during the campaign period over incidents of violence and the presence of illegal armed groups in conflict affected regions, adequate measures were taken and Election Day was not adversely affected by security incidents, a demonstration of Colombia's strong institutions.”
4. Wide shot, Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVIC):
“With the presidential campaign now in full swing ahead of elections on 31st May, the Mission is adding its voice to the call for authorities and all concerned to ensure a safe and peaceful environment, free of violence and stigmatisation. I reiterate my condemnation of reported threats against presidential candidates, and I call again for state authorities to guarantee the safety of all participants in the electoral process.”
6. Med shot, Colombia’s Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVIC):
“The latest report of the Secretary General traces implementation across the three pillars of the mandate, as established by the Security Council in Resolution 2798 of last October. Reintegration of former combatants, security guarantees, and comprehensive rural reform. They are three elements at the core of the final peace agreement, whose implementation contributes to peace and security in the country.”
8. Wide shot, Jenča addressing Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVIC):
“The rural reform is fundamental for consolidating lasting peace and security in Colombia. It aims to extend state presence and address inequalities that have fuel conflict in the country for decades. By unlocking viable economic opportunities, it can also provide sustainable alternatives to illicit economies, thereby helping to break the cycle of violence.”
10. Wide shot, Council
11. Wide shot, Villavicencio addressing Council
12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Colombia:
“The Government of Colombia recognises the difficulties caused by the liquidity crisis in the United Nations system. However, we would also like to express that this should not happen at the expense of your support that translates into the hope for peace in Colombia. We would like to urge the Secretariat to avoid implementing more cuts to the Verification Mission.”
13. Wide shot, Villavicencio addressing Council
14.SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Colombia:
“In terms of the comprehensive rural reform, progress is also relevant. In 2026, around 6,887 hectares have been managed through the Land Fund, and since 2022, we have redistributed over 305,000 hectares to peasants and ethnic communities. Moreover, we have formalised over 2 million hectares, so now we are close to the 30 percent goal established in the agreement.”
15. Wide shot, end of Council meeting
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Colombia and Head of the UN Verification Mission (UNVIC), Miroslav Jenča, today (21 Apr) told the Security Council that with the presidential campaign now in full swing ahead of elections on 31 May, the Mission is adding its voice to the call for authorities and all concerned “to ensure a safe and peaceful environment, free of violence and free of stigmatization.”
Jenča noted that a number of rural areas are still strongly impacted by the presence of illegal armed groups, and their ongoing clashes over territorial control and illicit economies are bringing violence and hardship to entire communities.
On the recent legislative elections, held in March, he said, “despite concerns during the campaign period over incidents of violence and the presence of illegal armed groups in conflict affected regions, adequate measures were taken and Election Day was not adversely affected by security incidents, a demonstration of Colombia's strong institutions.”
He reiterated his condemnation of reported threats against presidential candidates and called for state authorities “to guarantee the safety of all participants in the electoral process.”
Jenča said the latest report of the Secretary General on Colombia, which he was presenting, “traces implementation across the three pillars of the mandate, as established by the Security Council in Resolution 2798 of last October. Reintegration of former combatants, security guarantees, and comprehensive rural reform.”
He said these were “three elements at the core of the final peace agreement, whose implementation contributes to peace and security in the country.”
On rural reform, the UNVIC official said, it was “fundamental for consolidating lasting peace and security in Colombia” as it “aims to extend state presence and address inequalities that have fuel conflict in the country for decades.”
By unlocking viable economic opportunities, he said, “it can also provide sustainable alternatives to illicit economies, thereby helping to break the cycle of violence.”
In her address to the Council, Colombia’s Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio said the Government of Colombia “recognises the difficulties caused by the liquidity crisis in the United Nations system.”
However, she added, “we would also like to express that this should not happen at the expense of your support that translates into the hope for peace in Colombia,” and urged the Secretariat “to avoid implementing more cuts” to UNVIC.
Villavicencio said progress was also relevant” in comprehensive rural reform.
She said, “in 2026, around 6,887 hectares have been managed through the Land Fund, and since 2022, we have redistributed over 305,000 hectares to peasants and ethnic communities. Moreover, we have formalised over 2 million hectares, so now we are close to the 30 percent goal established in the agreement.”
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