The Estado Mayor Central (EMC) are dissidents of the Fuerzas Armadas de Colombia (FARC-EP), who rejected the 2016 peace deal and refused to sign the Peace Accord between the FARC and the Colombian government.
It is estimated that the EMC currently has some 3,500 members, with 2,200 combatants and is comprised of 4 main bloques and 46 subestrucutras. The EMC operates in 23 out of 32 provinces in Colombia with the most activity in Cauca, in the south-west of Colombia.[1]
31 December 2022
Six-month ceasefire with major armed groups announced
At the end of 2022, President Petro announces that the government had agreed to bilateral ceasefires with the five main armed groups in Colombia, including the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) – dissidents of the now defunct FARC-EP.
March 2023
EMC members have arrest warrants suspended
At least 19 EMC members have their arrest warrants suspended. This allows them to participate in peace dialogues with the government.
May 2023
Ceasefire suspended
The bilateral ceasefire between the EMC and the Government fails because the EMC murders four indigenous boys. The four minors who had been forcibly recruited were shot dead when they attempted to escape.
19 September 2023
Government and EMC sign bilateral ceasefire agreement
The Colombian Government and the EMC sign a new ten-month bilateral ceasefire agreement.
The agreement includes a statement to respect civilians, the ceasefire, and the cessation of offensive operations.
8 October 2023
Peace talks & bilateral ceasefire postponed
The planned peace talks are postponed by a week due to persistent fighting between the EMC and state security forces, particularly in southwest Colombia and disagreements over the specifics of the ceasefire.
16 October 2023
Peace talks officially begin
The government and the EMC formally kick off peace talks after Petro orders his security forces to cease all operations against the EMC.
5 November 2023
EMC temporarily withdraws from talks
Despite the withdrawal from the negotiation table, the bilateral ceasefire remains in place. The EMC claims that the government had failed to uphold its commitments.
15 November 2023
Peace talks resume
A new cycle of peace talks begins. The EMC reconfigure the negotiating team and appoint three temporary advisers to the process, including senior military commanders. This increases the profile of the delegation and leaning towards the military wing.
12 December 2023
EMC puts an end to kidnapping
The EMC and Colombian government make various agreements, including a pledge to stop kidnapping for ransom. This comes after the infamous kidnapping of footballer Luis Díaz’s father.
8 January 2024
Peace talks resume in Bogotá
These are the third cycle of talks between the parties, which last until 20 January 2024.
14 January 2024
Bilateral ceasefire extended by six months
The government and the EMC agree to extend the ceasefire (due to expire in January 2024) by six months to facilitate ongoing peace talks.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Peace reports that Decree 0016 of 14 January 2024, signed by the Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez Gómez, orders “the suspension of offensive military operations and police operations, as well as acts contrary to what is established in the Protocol of Rules and Commitments agreed between the parties at the Peace Talks.”
The Decree also states that the parties may agree on new objectives “aimed at strengthening the peace process, deepening territorial transformations and replacing illicit economies and protecting the environment, the participation of society, and the humanitarian protection of the civilian population”.
10 March 2024
Fourth round of Peace Talks concludes
The government and the EMC meet in San José del Guaviare between 3-10 March 2024.
The talks include special contributions from social organisations in Colombia and a focus on civil society, with the parties recognising the need for special measures to address critical situations and demands of the population.
Further, it is agreed that dialogues between communities, civil society organisations, government entities, municipal and departmental governments, universities and think tanks will be set up in order to strengthen or implement socioeconomic and environmental projects.
12 March 2024
EMC say that a peace deal is unlikely
A major leader of the EMC states that it will be difficult for the group to sign a peace deal with the government before Petro leaves office in 2026.
16 March 2024
Government suspends ceasefire with EMC
A government decree states that Colombia will suspend its ceasefire with the EMC in three provinces from 20 March onwards. This is in response to a guerrilla attack on an indigenous community in Cauca. The announcement does not mention any effects on the overall negotiations.
4 April 2024
EMC guerrillas attack military base in Cali
Alleged EMC guerrillas carry out a mortar attack on the 3rd Division army base in Cali, damaging the homes of military commanders amid a resumption of fighting between the military and the group.
The attack takes place just before an attack on a police station in Yamundi, and just after a grenade exploded in Tumaco.
7 April 2024
EMC calls for a ceasefire
The EMC calls on the government to restore the ceasefire nationwide. The group also vows to retaliate against any attacks by the state forces, warning civilians to stay away from military posts and police stations.
11 April 2024
Car bomb leaves 2 injured
An explosion in south-west Colombia leaves two civilians injured in an attack that was allegedly targeting a police station.
The attack comes days after the EMC warns civilians to stay away from police stations.
15 April 2024
EMC urges ceasefire with government and ELN
ELN commander, Ivan Mordisco, urges in a video that the government reinstate the ceasefire in south-west Colombia.
He also asks that the EMC and rival group, the ELN, negotiate a ceasefire.
This transmission comes amidst rumours of internal divisions within the EMC.
16 April 2024
Divisions form within the EMC
According to lead government negotiator, Camilo Gonzalez, Commander Ivan Mordisco abandons peace talks after losing control of half of the 3500 guerrillas of the EMC.
The dissident guerrillas side with former peace negotiator Andrey Avendaño, while the commanders from the regional EMC divisions swear loyalty to Mordisco.
26 April 2024
Colombian Army Kills EMC Guerrillas
The Colombian Army allegedly kills 15 EMC members in Cauca, leaving another 12 wounded.
May 2024
EMC Violence Escalates along Pacific Coast
Clashes between security forces and the EMC increase along the Pacific Coast, leaving dozens dead.
In early May, Argelia (Cauca) sees multiple clashes between the EMC and the military as the group tries to seize control of the Caño de Micay trafficking corridor.
20 May 2024
EMC Launches Attacks on State Targets
The EMC launches a series of coordinated assaults against state targets. In Morales (Cauca) a police station is attacked, in Jamundí (Valle de Cauca) a bomb is detonated.
The EMC also expand their operations into Tolima and Quindío.
24 May 2024
Confrontations Between Rival Factions
There are skirmishes betwen rival factions of the EMC, Frente 57 and Dagoberto Ramos, in Toribío (Cauca). It is reported that these clashes are linked to a Frente 57 offensive to capture Indigenous land in Tacueyo and San Francisco.
May – July 2024
Numerous Attacks by EMC
Several attacks are carried out and attributed to the EMC.
This includes internal clashes that leave 8 dead, other attacks that kill members of the police and armed forces and clashes between the EMC and state forces during which Vice President, Francia Marquez’s father and nephew were attacked.
16 July 2024
Ceasefire Partially Called Off
The government calls off the bilateral ceasefire with some EMC factions: the Gentil Duarte block, the Jorge Suarez Briceno block and the Raul Reyes front.
18 July 2024
EMC threatens COP16
The EMC threatens to disrupt the biodiversity summit, COP16, planned to take place in Cali in October. This threat is later withdrawn .
24 July 2024
EMC blamed for fatal drone attack
The EMC is blamed by the Defense Ministry for a drone attack in Cauca that kills a 10-year-old boy and injures another 6 people.
This is the first fatal drone attack in Colombia.
21 August 2024
Former FARC fighters forced out of Miravalle by EMC
More than 80 former FARC combatants are forced out of their homes in the reincorporation village of Miravalle (Caquetá) after threats from the EMC Ivan Diaz Front.
22 August 2024
EMC declares war on dissidents
Ivan Mordisco, EMC commander, declares war on dissident guerrilla units that have decided to negotiate peace with the government without his approval.
9 September 2024
EMC Divisions Spark Surge in Conflict
Criminal activity escalates in Huila, driven by divisions between EMC factions over peace talks with the government.
12 October 2024
17 Injured in Clash Between Army and EMC
17 people are injured in a drone attack, carried out by Carlos Patiño Front of the EMC, following a military operation to uproot the group from the area.
17 October 2024
Colombia Extends Ceasefire with EMC
The bilateral ceasefire between the EMC and the Colombian government is extended for 6 months until April 2025.
Due to internal divisions, the ceasefire has been negotiated with three different factions: Calarcá Córdoba Alexander Mendoza, Comandante Gentil Duarte, Comandante Jorge Suarez Briceño.
22 October 2024
EMC Attacks Near COP16
Security is reinforced around Cali, host of COP16, after members of the EMC targeted soldiers with a bomb and shot dead civilians travelling in a car.
The government is also engaged in Peace Talks with the ELN, Segunda Marquetalia and the AGC.
[1] https://indepaz.org.co/el-accionar-de-los-grupos-armados-en-el-contexto-de-la-paz-total/ (pages 4 & 12).