Nearly 100 guerrillas surrendered their weapons in a jungle area of southern Colombia’s Putumayo department, following an agreement with President Gustavo Petro’s government. The disarmament was carried out by members of the National Coordinating Committee of the Bolivarian Army, a group that split from the FARC rebels who had fought the government for nearly five decades. The event took place just three days before the country’s presidential runoff election.

The surrender is being described as the most significant achievement of Petro’s “Total Peace” initiative, which seeks to end armed conflict through negotiation and reintegration. Guerrillas dressed in camouflage placed their rifles in a large container marked with a message pledging commitment to peace. Government peace representative Armando Novoa said the move sends a powerful message to Colombian society amid ongoing tensions over war and peace.

The future of Petro’s peace policy remains uncertain, as the upcoming election will determine whether the next president continues or reverses his approach. Petro is scheduled to hand over power on August 7.