Nearly ten years after the peace agreement with the FARC, many former fighters are still armed, and the political party they formed, Comunes, is facing potential extinction in the upcoming elections. Initially founded as a hopeful symbol of transformation, the party chose a rose and dove as their emblem to signify peace and reconciliation. However, despite these intentions, Comunes has struggled to gain traction in Colombian politics, having received alarmingly low voter support in the past two elections.

In the 2018 parliamentary elections, Comunes garnered fewer than 90,000 votes, amounting to less than one percent of the total. This trend continued to deteriorate, with the party receiving just over 50,000 votes in the most recent election cycle, indicating a dramatic decline in public interest and support. The party was created as part of the peace agreement that allowed former guerrilla members to demobilize and participate in the democratic process, but the reality looks starkly different as they prepare for the next elections.

The implications of this decline are significant, as it reflects broader issues of disillusionment with the peace process in Colombia. Many former combatants remain in armed conflict despite the agreement and the ability to participate politically, highlighting a disconnect between expectations and the current realities in Colombian society. As elections approach, the fate of Comunes may point to the challenges facing peace implementation and the reintegration of former guerrillas into a society that remains deeply divided over past conflicts.