Council of State Reviews Lawsuit to Annul Salvatore Mancuso’s Appointment as Peace Manager
The First Section of the Council of State has accepted a lawsuit challenging Resolution 244 of 2023, under which President Gustavo Petro appointed several former members of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), including Salvatore Mancuso, as peace managers. This resolution has sparked significant legal debate and scrutiny.
Legal Basis for the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was initiated through a means of nullity control, outlined in Article 137 of the Code of Administrative Procedure and Administrative Litigation. The claim met all legal requirements specified in Articles 161 to 166 of the aforementioned code, which facilitated its admission. As part of the legal process, notifications have been sent to relevant parties, including the plaintiffs, President Petro, and Mancuso himself. The Council of State has given the defendants and interested parties 30 days to respond, provide evidence, and assert their defenses.
Implications of the Appointment
The Ombudsman’s Office recently filed a separate request for annulment against another resolution, 327 of September 21, 2025, which also pertains to peace management roles for former AUC members. In a comprehensive 56-page document, the Ombudsman expressed concerns regarding the political and social risks posed by appointing individuals identified as serious crime perpetrators to such influential roles. It asserted that this undermines public trust in the state and risks generating significant societal disruptions.
Concerns Raised by the Ombudsman
The Ombudsman has highlighted that the peace managers are supposed to design and implement reparative activities. However, there is significant concern regarding the lack of judicial oversight and the exclusion of victim participation in these processes. The resolution’s framework appears to prioritize governmental representation, marginalizing voices of those directly impacted by the violence perpetrated by the AUC.
Tensions within the High Commissioner’s Office
The situation has led to tensions within the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace. Its leader, Otty Patiño, has opposed opening additional dialogue tables for former paramilitary leaders, a stance contrasting with President Petro’s support for such initiatives. This rift highlights ongoing disagreements within the government regarding how to integrate former paramilitaries into the peace process.
The Call for Accountability
The Ombudsman has emphasized that the peace managers’ roles should not be applied to former members of an already demobilized group without clear justification. The resolution lacks clarity in defining the functions and responsibilities of the appointed managers and fails to validate the necessity for administrative mechanisms that operate outside the judicial frameworks established for accountability.
Conclusion
The ongoing debate surrounding Salvatore Mancuso’s appointment has raised fundamental questions about the integrity of peace policies in Colombia. The lawsuit aims to uphold the legal foundation of these initiatives and ensure coherence with the national justice system. As the Council of State moves forward with the review, the outcome may significantly influence peace management efforts and the broader approach to reconciliation in Colombia.