Iván Cepeda, a senator and presidential candidate of the Pacto Histórico coalition, said that peace does not kill people during an April 2026 interview [1].
Cepeda's stance on the "total peace" proposal is central to his campaign as he seeks to position negotiations with armed groups as the primary path toward ending Colombia's internal conflict. His willingness to engage with the National Liberation Army (ELN) remains a point of contention among political rivals and critics.
During the interview with journalist José Manuel Acevedo at the RCN Televisión studio, Cepeda said the dialogues with the ELN are necessary [1]. He said that if he is elected president, he will push for concrete and effective results in these negotiations [2].
Cepeda also addressed the historical violence in Colombia, specifically referencing the issue of "false positives." He said that the number of false-positive cases is 7,837 [3].
While Cepeda has expressed a commitment to discussing these policies, his approach has drawn scrutiny. Vicky Davila, writing for Infobae, suggested that candidates should not be asked about "total peace" [4]. However, representatives from the Pacto Histórico said Cepeda will debate the topic and provide answers during the campaign cycle [5].
Cepeda used the platform to clarify that his policy focuses on systemic solutions to violence rather than military escalation. He said that the goal of the Pacto Histórico is to ensure that peace talks lead to actual disarmament, and stability [2].
“"A la gente no la mata la paz"”
Cepeda's emphasis on the 'total peace' framework signals a continuation and potential intensification of the current administration's strategy to negotiate with diverse armed groups. By explicitly linking the legitimacy of peace talks to the historical trauma of 'false positives,' he is attempting to frame the military-first approach as a failed model, though this strategy risks alienating voters who prioritize security and hardline enforcement against the ELN.
