Latin America & Caribbean / Comment
The state of the negotiated political solution of the Colombian conflict
04/07/2008 By Carlos Lozano
The recent military operations undertaken by President Álvaro Uribe’s government have won plaudits, and generated expectations that the end may be near for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after 44 years of civil war.
A closer examination of the characteristics of Uribe’s policy of “democratic security” and the politics of his rule, however, suggests that there is little room for dialogue and negotiation with the rebel group. This inflexibility, manifested in Uribe’s long opposition to any sort of “swap” of hostage for FARC prisoners, comes at the cost of a lasting solution to a conflict that in one form or other has affected Colombia’s rural areas for over 60 years. Far from being defeated, the FARC still occupies large swathes of territory, and is capable of destabilising regions across Colombia.
Instead of relying on military victory and fostering a polarized political landscape, Colombia’s government must seek a more democratic approach to building the conditions for peace. In this respect, the original political aspirations of the rebels must in some form or other be addressed so that the causes of the conflict are finally removed.
Download the full version of this publication, available in English (51 kB)
Spanish (43 kB)
Keywords
Colombia Conflict Conflict resolution Peace processRelated publications
- Colombia: a paradoxical state
- Colombia: more doubts than certainties
- Paramilitary demobilisation in Colombia: between peace and justice
- The legal framework for Colombia's peace process
- USA 2008: candidates confront the critical issues in Colombia
Bio author: Carlos Lozano
