Alejandro Ramelli, president of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), said the body is ready to begin the handover process with the government of Abelardo de la Espriella.
This transition occurs amid significant tension, as the president-elect has previously criticized the JEP and the foundational 2016 peace agreement. The outcome of these talks will determine whether the transitional justice system maintains its institutional stability or faces structural dismantling under the new administration.
Ramelli offered a technical dialogue to the incoming team to present the current progress and challenges of the transitional justice process. This move follows the presidential election held on Sunday, June 30, 2026 [2]. While some reports indicate the JEP declared its readiness for the handover as early as June 25, 2026 [1], other accounts place the offer after the election results were finalized [2].
Addressing the possibility of the JEP being dissolved, Ramelli said that eliminating the jurisdiction does not depend on a presidential decree [5]. He said that the institutional framework of the 2016 peace agreement must be preserved [3].
Ramelli said that the JEP is prepared to initiate the handover process with the government of Abelardo de la Espriella [3]. The president-elect is scheduled to take office on Aug. 7, 2026 [4].
Throughout the transition, the JEP leadership has sought to ensure that the legal processes regarding war crimes and reparations continue without interruption. Ramelli said the technical dialogue is necessary to ensure the incoming government understands the legal complexities, and international obligations tied to the peace process.
“"Eliminar la JEP no depende de un decreto presidencial."”
The JEP's proactive outreach to Abelardo de la Espriella is a strategic attempt to shield the 2016 peace framework from executive interference. By framing the handover as a 'technical dialogue,' the JEP is asserting its legal autonomy and reminding the president-elect that the jurisdiction's existence is rooted in a treaty and legal structures that exceed the power of a simple presidential decree.
