Colombia's peace tribunal faces budget cuts and military review of rulings

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in Colombia, created to investigate crimes from the decades-long armed conflict, is confronting a severe budget cut proposed by Senator Enrique Gómez Martínez, who wants the savings transferred to the Supreme Judicial Council. President Abelardo de la Espriella, a vocal opponent of the 2016 peace accord, has endorsed the proposal, and lawmakers are debating a constitutional amendment that would force military courts to automatically review any JEP rulings involving security personnel.

At the same time, the government plans to drastically reduce funding for the agency tasked with locating missing persons, a key component of the peace agreement. JEP head Alejandro Ramelli argued that these measures would cripple the tribunal, leaving thousands of victims without protection or reparations, and he appealed to the international community for support. Victims like Lady Johanna Rosas Morena, who is still searching for her brother, voiced deep anxiety over the potential loss of access to truth and justice.