Colombia Confronts Unhealed Wounds 40 Years After Palace of Justice Tragedy

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

Four decades after the devastating siege of Colombia's Palace of Justice, the nation continues to confront profound questions about state power, accountability, and the unresolved trauma of its conflict-ridden history. The 30-hour military assault that began on November 6, 1985, following the M-19 guerrilla group's takeover of the courthouse, resulted in the deaths of 98 people—including nearly half the country's Supreme Court justices—and left a legacy of disputed facts and lingering anguish.While the M-19 framed its occupation as a 'patriotic takeover' to put President Belisario Betancur on trial for breaching a ceasefire, the government's decision to deploy tanks and heavy weaponry in central Bogotá has been widely condemned for prioritizing a military solution over hostage safety. Critical evidence disappeared in the final inferno, and allegations persist that several individuals seen alive in military custody after the siege were victims of forced disappearance.In the years since, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has found the Colombian state responsible for human rights violations, and former M-19 members—now integrated into political life—have expressed public regret for the operation's tragic consequences. For many Colombians, the Palace of Justice remains an open wound, a stark reminder of a conflict whose ghosts still demand truth and accountability.

#Colombia

#Palace of Justice

#M-19

#guerrilla siege

#armed conflict

#anniversary

#featured

Stay Informed. Act Smarter.

Get weekly highlights, major headlines, and expert insights — then put your knowledge to work in our live prediction markets.