Colombian President Accepts Rebel Proposal for Investigative Commission

Petro agrees to commission that will examine potential drug trafficking ties

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro has indicated that he will accept a proposal from the largest remaining rebel group in the country to allow a commission to investigate potential ties between the group and drug trafficking.

Why it matters

This move represents a significant shift in the government's approach to dealing with the rebel group, which has been engaged in an armed conflict with the state for decades. The investigation could uncover important information about the group's activities and potentially lead to a path towards peace negotiations.

The details

The rebel group, which remains the largest active in Colombia, proposed the creation of the investigative commission. Petro agreed to the proposal, signaling a willingness to engage with the rebels in a new way as he seeks to end the country's long-running internal conflict.

  • The proposal was made by the rebel group on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • President Petro indicated he would accept the proposal on the same day, February 15, 2026.

The players

Gustavo Petro

The current president of Colombia who has agreed to the rebel group's proposal for an investigative commission.

The Largest Remaining Rebel Group in Colombia

The major rebel group that is still active in the country's internal armed conflict and has proposed the creation of an investigative commission.

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What they’re saying

“We must explore all avenues to bring an end to this conflict and uncover the truth about any potential ties to the drug trade.”

— Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia

What’s next

The investigative commission will be formed in the coming weeks to begin its work examining the potential drug trafficking ties of the rebel group.

The takeaway

This agreement represents a significant shift in the government's approach to dealing with the rebel group and could pave the way for future peace negotiations if the investigation uncovers information that leads to a path towards resolving the long-running conflict.