<p>Colombia is poised for a shift in leadership as its first round of presidential elections approaches on May 31. And as President Gustavo Petro&#39;s term draws to a close, so too does his ambitious Total Peace initiative, which attempted to engage and negotiate with many criminal groups across the country. </p><p>Over the past four years, InSight Crime has extensively reported on the plan’s successes, setbacks, and ongoing challenges. </p><p>With the transition of power on the horizon, questions loom about the future direction of peace efforts and whether the incoming administration will continue, abandon, or reframe Petro’s strategy in the face of ongoing criminal violence and complex territorial dynamics. </p><p><a href="https://insightcrime.org/news/colombias-emc-holds-total-peace-hostage-in-cauca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Colombia’s EMC Holds ‘Total Peace’ Hostage in Cauca</a> | Written by María Fernanda Ramírez and Juliana Manjarrés, and read by Gavin Voss.</p><p>Visit <a href="https://insightcrime.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">insightcrime.org</a> for more information.</p>