Colombia’s fragile peace at risk from violent dissident groups

Ruthless Farc rebels take over cocaine production
Former Farc fighters take part in a commemorative parade in Medellin, five years since the signing of a peace agreement
Former Farc fighters take part in a commemorative parade in Medellin, five years since the signing of a peace agreement
LUIS EDUARDO NORIEGA /EPA

Violence in remote areas of Colombia is increasing again, say campaigners, five years after a landmark peace deal was signed with left-wing guerrillas to end decades of conflict.

As the country marked the anniversary of the peace process between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) yesterday, the United States was reported to be poised to remove the once notorious rebel group from its list of terrorists.

The 2016 deal led to about 13,000 Farc fighters laying down their weapons and reintegrating into civilian life, ending the bloody war which displaced millions and left more than 260,000 people dead.

After demobilising, existing or dissident rebel groups and new illegal armed groups involved in drug production or trafficking and illegal gold mining have