Introduction
The political landscape of Colombia has been rocked by the surfacing of explosive audio recordings that appear to substantiate long-standing suspicions regarding the security policy of President Gustavo Petro. The revelations, brought to light by journalist Ricardo Calderón, center on communications between former High Commissioner for Peace, Danilo Rueda, and Luis Armando Pérez, known by the alias ‘Jerónimo,’ a high-ranking commander of the criminal organization known as the ‘Clan del Golfo.’
These documents suggest a direct line of negotiation aimed not at the dismantling of criminal structures, but at their protection from state interference. For many observers, these recordings provide a definitive narrative to the "Total Peace" initiative, casting it less as a strategy for reconciliation and more as a surrender of state sovereignty to illicit armed groups.
The Core Revelations: The ‘Jerónimo’ Recordings
The core of the controversy lies in the specific demands made by the ‘Clan del Golfo’ leadership and the subsequent assurances provided by the national government. In the transcripts of the recorded calls, alias ‘Jerónimo’ explicitly requests:
- The lifting of active arrest warrants for key members of the organization.
- A purge of national intelligence agencies to remove individuals perceived as threats to the criminal group.
- An immediate cessation of aerial bombardments and a systematic de-escalation of military and police operations.
- The suspension of extradition requests, effectively granting immunity from international justice.
In response, the recordings depict Danilo Rueda not as a state official negotiating from a position of strength, but as a facilitator. Rueda allegedly confirms that the government is actively working to satisfy these demands, promising to abort planned military operations and coordinate with the then-Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, to fast-track the dismissal of high-ranking military and police officers who were deemed "inconvenient" to the criminal group’s interests.
Chronology of Institutional Erosion
The transition from a state-led security posture to a policy of "Total Peace" can be traced through a series of controversial events that have defined the current administration:
2024: The Departure of Experienced Leadership
Within the first weeks of his presidency, Gustavo Petro authorized the retirement of nearly forty generals. This move, which sent shockwaves through the security forces, removed some of the most experienced officers in the country—men known for their deep knowledge of public order and counter-insurgency operations. The systematic removal of these leaders, according to critics, was not a strategic modernization but a deliberate weakening of the institutional backbone of the Colombian Armed Forces.
July 2024: Symbolic Disrespect
On July 20, 2024, during the investiture of Major General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto as the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Military Forces, a moment of profound symbolism occurred. President Petro remained seated while the incoming commander was called to the stage, refusing to stand or offer a handshake. This act was widely interpreted as an intentional humiliation of the military institution, signaling a fundamental shift in the civil-military relationship—one where the President acted less as a commander-in-chief and more as a figure of imperial detachment from the uniformed services.
July 2024: The Anorí Intervention
The tension reached a breaking point on July 23, 2024, when the Fourth Brigade of the Army, led by General Jorge Ricardo Hernández, intercepted a caravan belonging to the dissident leader known as ‘Calarcá’ in Anorí, Antioquia. This operation, which sought to enforce the rule of law, was met with significant political pushback. General Hernández was subsequently dismissed, further fueling the perception that military officers who performed their duties were being punished for "interfering" with the government’s parallel peace negotiations.
Supporting Data: The Expansion of Criminal Influence
The metrics of the "Total Peace" policy paint a bleak picture of territorial control. Over the four-year span of the current administration, the ‘Clan del Golfo’ has undergone a period of unprecedented expansion:
- Territorial Footprint: At the outset of the current term, the group exerted influence in 128 municipalities. That figure has since surged to 328 municipalities.
- Manpower Growth: The organization began with an estimated 5,000 members. Today, the number of active combatants is estimated to be near 10,000.
- Governance through Coercion: In many rural regions, the lack of state presence has led to a vacuum filled by illegal armed groups. These groups have begun to openly participate in "civic activities," effectively replacing the state in public life, with the local police frequently ordered to stand down to avoid confrontation.
Official Responses and Institutional Silence
The government has maintained a defensive stance, often characterizing these reports as efforts to derail the peace process. However, the lack of a transparent, formal explanation regarding the specific promises made by former Commissioner Rueda has led to widespread public skepticism.
The appointment of former Minister Iván Velásquez to a diplomatic post at the Holy See has also raised questions. Critics argue this maneuver was designed to shield key decision-makers from potential scrutiny by the Colombian justice system, effectively insulating them from the fallout of the policies they helped enact.
The Wider Implications: A Betrayal of the Social Contract
The implications of these revelations extend far beyond the political scandal. At its heart, this is a question of constitutional legitimacy. The Colombian public voted for a mandate of security and stability, not for the facilitation of criminal impunity.
The Erosion of the Rule of Law
When the state prioritizes the demands of an armed group—such as the purging of intelligence agencies or the halting of extradition—it undermines the legal architecture of the nation. The "Total Peace" policy, as documented in these transcripts, suggests that the government has blurred the lines between the state and the very entities it is tasked with combating.
The Crisis of Morale within the Armed Forces
The persistent purging of "inconvenient" officers has created a culture of fear and hesitation within the barracks. Soldiers and police officers now face a paradox: they are expected to maintain order, yet they are punished when they successfully intercept criminal leaders. This institutional paralysis has significantly hampered the ability of the state to project power in volatile regions.
The Path Forward
The demand for accountability is growing. Millions of Colombians are now calling for a formal investigation into the actions of the executive branch. The question remains: Will the institutions of the Colombian state, specifically the Prosecutor’s Office and the Supreme Court, be able to investigate the President and his cabinet for these actions?
The evidence suggests that the "Total Peace" initiative may have been, in practice, a "total surrender." If the recordings are confirmed as authentic in a court of law, they will represent the most significant breach of trust in the history of modern Colombian governance. The state’s primary duty—the protection of its citizens—was replaced by a strategy of appeasement that has empowered those who pose the greatest threat to the nation’s democratic stability.
As the country looks toward the future, the primary challenge for the next administration will be the reconstruction of the state’s security apparatus and the restoration of public confidence in the rule of law, which has been severely damaged by the clandestine negotiations of the past four years. The betrayal, if proven, is not just of the military institution, but of every citizen who expected their leaders to safeguard the nation’s future rather than mortgage it to criminal organizations.
