UN Hails Colombia’s JEP Rulings as ‘Historic’—But Does Justice Truly Prevail?

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently termed the first restorative sentences handed down by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) a “historic milestone.” This international praise marks these rulings as pivotal in implementing the controversial 2016 peace deal between the Colombian government and the now-defunct FARC guerrillas. But how much of this ‘‘historic’’ justice truly serves Colombian victims—and what does it mean for America’s broader fight against insurgency and lawlessness? Are These Sentences Genuine Justice or Political Theater? Seven former FARC leaders received alternative sentences involving restrictions on their rights for eight years, recognized as responsible for widespread kidnappings...