President Abelardo de la Espriella Warns Nariño Governor Over Peace Negotiations

President Abelardo de la Espriella issued a stern warning to the governor of Nariño, Luis Alfonso Escobar, during a summit of regional leaders in Mompox, Bolivar, on September 4. The president stated that no governor or mayor is permitted to conduct independent negotiations, agreements, or clandestine contacts with terrorist structures. He asserted that any official who crosses this line will be held accountable before the justice system, emphasizing that he will not tolerate pacts with enemies of the state while security forces risk their lives. This warning follows the previous administration's territorial peace processes in Nariño with groups such as the Comuneros del Sur and the Coordinadora Nacional Ejercito Bolivariano, which the current administration has since moved to terminate through administrative acts. Governor Escobar responded by stating that the regional government did not conduct clandestine negotiations, but rather participated in processes led by the national government. He argued that peace construction should recognize the particularities of each territory and invited the president to visit the region to evaluate the results of these efforts. The two leaders have a history of tension dating back to the presidential campaign, when De la Espriella accused Escobar of pressuring citizens to favor left wing candidates. While the governor expressed a desire for a professional relationship based on dialogue, he also voiced concerns that the current security policy could lead to a state of total war.