Columbia Problems 12-3-25

In December 2025, Colombia faces several problems including escalating armed conflict and violence, leading to high levels of internal displacement and humanitarian crises, particularly with a reported increase in forced displacement reaching a 10-year peak. Economically, the country is grappling with high global uncertainty, fiscal deterioration, and persistent challenges in export performance. Additionally, environmental factors like climate change are worsening living conditions, and human rights concerns persist, including threats against activists and violence against marginalized groups.  

Conflict and displacement

Escalating conflict: The conflict is intensifying, driven by the territorial expansion and fragmentation of armed groups. This is leading to increased violence and displacement.

High internal displacement: The number of people forced to flee their homes has reached a 10-year peak, doubling the previous year's figure for 2025, with about 5.1 million people internally displaced due to conflict and violence.

Children affected by conflict: The recruitment and use of children and adolescents in armed conflict is a growing and severe problem. 

Economic challenges

Fiscal deterioration: The economy is facing fiscal challenges and high sovereign risk premiums, necessitating a restrictive monetary policy to maintain stability.

Weak export performance: Despite some growth in non-traditional exports, overall exports are down due to declining commodity prices.

Structural issues: Challenges include low domestic savings and investment, which limit the country's ability to finance necessary long-term investments. 

Humanitarian and rights issues

Humanitarian crisis: The combination of conflict and climate variability is worsening the humanitarian situation, affecting millions of people.

Threats and violence against activists: Human rights defenders, including those protecting LGBTI rights, continue to face threats and attacks.

Violence against vulnerable groups: Violence disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, with reports indicating a high number of killings of LGBTI people, particularly transgender women. 

Environmental concerns

Climate change impact: Climate variability and frequent natural disasters are exacerbating existing problems and affecting the population.

Risk analysis: There is a need to monitor the impact of natural hazards and climate change on vulnerable populations and their access to resources. 

In December 2025, Colombia continues to face significant challenges primarily related to ongoing internal armed conflict and violence, the resulting humanitarian crisis and forced displacement, and persistent economic and political instability. 

Security and Humanitarian Crisis

The primary issue stems from the territorial expansion and fragmentation of non-state armed groups (NSAGs), including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents, who are vying for control over illicit economies like drug trafficking and illegal mining. 

Forced Displacement and Confinement: Colombia hosts one of the world's largest populations of forcibly uprooted people, with over 7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and nearly 3 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Ongoing clashes lead to mass displacement and forced confinement of communities, particularly indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations, who are cut off from essential services like food and medicine.

Violence and Protection Risks: The humanitarian situation in 2025 is set to be one of the decade's worst in humanitarian terms, with increasing rates of violence, targeted killings of social leaders and human rights defenders, child recruitment by armed groups, and widespread use of explosive devices such as anti-personnel mines.

Limited State Presence and Humanitarian Access: Many rural and border regions lack sufficient state presence and capacity, making them hotspots for conflict and limiting the ability of humanitarian organizations to deliver aid safely. 

Political and Governance Challenges

President Gustavo Petro's "Total Peace" strategy, aimed at negotiating ceasefires and peace deals with various armed groups, has achieved limited success and faced significant setbacks, including the suspension of talks with the ELN in late 2024 and internal political gridlock. 

Political Instability and Reforms: Petro's administration faces a difficult political environment, with a lack of majority in Congress hindering the passage of structural reforms (e.g., labor and education reforms). The rejection of the 2025 budget proposal by the Senate has created further uncertainty.

Rule of Law and Impunity: Despite the 2016 peace accord with the FARC, implementation remains a challenge, and there are systemic shortcomings in the justice system, with widespread impunity for past and present crimes, including enforced disappearances. 

Economic and Social Issues

Colombia faces persistent economic and social problems that exacerbate the security situation and inequality. 

Economic Concerns: While GDP growth is expected to accelerate slightly in 2025, the country faces a widening fiscal deficit, high structural unemployment and labor informality, and a dependence on commodities like oil. The government's push to transition away from fossil fuels is a long-term goal that presents short-term economic challenges regarding revenue.

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+problems+does+colombia+have+in+december+2025

Comments

Record shipments of Cocaine are coming from Colombia to the US. Drug Cartels are operating in Colombia again.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader