Open Doors World Watch List 2025: The Top 50 – Rank No. 46 Colombia

What does persecution look like in Colombia?
The fragile peace between the government and guerilla groups in Colombia has made limited impact—violence seems to have died down somewhat, but guerrilla groups (often linked to drug gangs) have grown more powerful and control more territory. These groups often target Christians for violent attacks, especially if they perceive that believers are opposing the "business" of the cartels/gangs. Church leaders are particularly at risk because they are seen as competitive influences for the young people that make up much of the guerrilla groups' ranks. 

Further, in some indigenous communities, Christian preachers and indigenous converts can face hostility because they are seen as traitors who betrayed the tribe or community. These believers live at risk of expulsion from the community, imprisonment, ostracism and other punishments. 

And finally, there are signs that Colombia's public sector is less committed to true pluralism; Christians speaking in public about their beliefs are sometimes targeted for supposedly being discriminatory or promotors of hate-speech. For this reason, some choose to self-censor to avoid becoming targets.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
Christians who live in areas controlled by guerrilla groups and/or drug gangs (sometimes the same thing) are often pressured or targeted because their faith goes against the aims of the cartels. Church leaders are particularly targeted if they are seen as opposer to the drug trade. 

Believers who come from an indigenous faith background may also face pressure in some communities, where they can be targeted because of their conversion. 

Meet 'David'
I'm not close to my brother, nor to my sister, and I'm estranged from my brother-in-law. Because you preach the gospel, you are no longer considered part of the family. And because you preach, you also lose the right to work in the community. I no longer have the right to work because, as a Christian, I have lost their trust. DAVID, AN INDIGENOUS BELIEVER IN COLOMBIA

What has changed this year?
Colombia fell 12 spots on the World Watch List, but this shouldn't be taken as a sign that everything is well. The success of the peace plan between the government and rebel groups has been spotty—some people blame the government's peace with rebel groups for the rise in cartel/gang violence. Whatever happens to the peace process, Christians remain at risk if they live in areas dominated by these guerrilla groups, especially if they are seen as advocating for lifestyle values outside of the cartels' goals. The political instability makes the future uncertain. 

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Colombia?
Open Doors strengthens the persecuted church in Colombia through Bible distribution, training, trauma care, community development projects, emergency relief aid and assistance in legal proceedings

​How can you pray for Colombia?

• The peace between guerrilla groups and the Colombian government remains tenuous at best. Pray that God would work on the hearts of warring parties and that Christians would be peacemakers.
• Praise God for the faith of believers who come to faith in indigenous contexts—even if it means they will experience persecution from their communities who view faith in Jesus as a betrayal.
• Pray for Christians living in areas controlled by cartels. Pray for their protection and wisdom as they seek to follow Christ.

 
Persecution Type: Governmental Oppression
Christians:  49,693,000
Main Religion: Christianity
Government: Presidential Republic
Leader: President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego
 
Reference: Open Door’s World Watch List 2025: The Top 50. Open Doors International. USA: Authors.