The Colombian armed conflict is a long-standing conflict that has been ongoing for over five decades. The conflict has its roots in political and economic factors that have plagued the country. Despite its abundant natural wealth, Colombia has long struggled with an unequal distribution of wealth, land and political power.
The modern armed conflict began in 1964 when two major guerrilla groups, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), emerged to challenge the government through armed struggle. The Colombian government’s response to the insurgency was to launch a series of counter-insurgency measures, including the formation of paramilitary groups, which have been responsible for numerous human rights abuses. The conflict has also been fueled by drug trafficking, with various armed groups vying for control of the lucrative drug trade.
The conflict has evolved and been characterized by a low-intensity asymmetric war between the Colombian government, far-right paramilitary groups, and left-wing guerrilla groups, such as the FARC and the ELN, each with their own interests and agendas, and has resulted in the death, disappearance, and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
The Colombian government has also been accused of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances. The Colombian military’s outlook on the current conflict has been shaped by its long history of fighting insurgents in the countryside.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Colombia, with an estimated 9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace and stability in the country. Nearly 20% of the population has experienced extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and forced displacement, summary executions, torture and grave violations of reproductive rights, such as forced abortions and sterilizations.
The armed conflict has also had significant economic impacts on local communities in Colombia. Numerous armed groups operate in the country, fueled by illegal economies such as drug trafficking and illegal mining. During decades of civil war, rebels of the FARC tightly controlled the forest, impeding its economic development. The conflict has also hindered the growth of industries such as agriculture and tourism, further exacerbating economic challenges in the country, with many individuals losing their homes, land, and livelihoods. These economic impacts have had a ripple effect on the lives of Colombians, particularly those who are already marginalized and vulnerable.
Last, but not least, the armed conflict has had far-reaching social and cultural impacts on Colombian society. Abuses by armed groups, limited access to justice and basic services such as healthcare and education and high levels of poverty, especially among Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, remain serious human rights concerns. The conflict has also hindered the country’s progress towards sustainable peace and reconciliation, with the FARC remaining a formidable anti-governmental force throughout the conflict.
The psychological toll of the armed conflict in Colombia has been immense, with many individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and depression as a result of the ongoing violence and displacement.
Despite the significant impact of violence on the population, mental health is still an unexplored field in Colombia. It is crucial for the government and organizations to prioritize mental health support for those affected by the conflict and to work towards long-term solutions for peace and stability in the country.`
The current status of the conflict is somewhat mixed. The Colombian government has made several attempts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In 2016, a peace accord was signed between the government and the FARC, which represents the country’s most holistic and wide-ranging effort to address the root causes of conflict and fulfill victims’ rights. The plan calls for a state policy of peace that addresses the root causes of conflict, including abuses by armed groups, limited access to justice, and high levels of poverty, especially among Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.
While the signing of the peace accord in 2016 was a significant step towards ending the conflict, the implementation of the accord has been slow and uneven. Armed groups continue to operate in many parts of the country, and violence and human rights abuses remain a significant problem.
In 2023, Colombia’s government announced a bilateral ceasefire with the largest armed groups still active despite the 2016 peace pact, the ELN, the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), the Second Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the Clan del Golfo and the Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada, from January 1 to June 30, 2023, as part of ongoing peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the armed groups. These groups were created in the wake of the 2016 peace deal, which saw the FARC disband as an armed force.
There has been a drop in violence in Colombia in recent months, with the ceasefire violations dropping from 34 in January to 22 in March, primarily due to a decrease in armed conflict. This drop in violence is a positive sign for the ongoing peace negotiations and suggests that progress is being made towards lasting peace in Colombia.
However, on Monday, May 22, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the partial suspension of the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the EMC, which is a dissident group of the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerilla group, in the four regions where it is most active, citing the group’s failure to comply with the terms of the ceasefire.
The decision came after four minors from an Indigenous community, who had been forcibly recruited by the EMC in March, were murdered in the Putumayo department when they tried to escape. This marks a setback in the ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, as the ceasefire was seen as a crucial step towards ending the conflict.
The decision to suspend the ceasefire highlights the challenges faced in negotiating a lasting peace in Colombia. The immediate impact of the ceasefire suspension has been felt by both the conflict parties and civilians, it has led to an escalation of violence, with reports of increased clashes between the government forces and the dissident FARC rebel group.
The international community has responded to the ceasefire suspension with concern and has called for efforts to restore the ceasefire and resume peace talks. The United Nations has expressed its support for the peace process and has urged all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and respect for human rights. The Colombian government has also expressed its commitment to the peace process and has called for dialogue with the dissident FARC rebel group to resolve the conflict. Efforts to restore the ceasefire and resume peace talks are ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming weeks and months.
If the conflict continues, it could lead to further violence, displacement, and human rights abuses. Despite the challenges to achieving a sustainable peace agreement in Colombia being numerous, there are possible solutions and approaches to achieving lasting peace in Colombia.
One potential solution towards achieving peace in Colombia is through continuous negotiations and peace talks between the government and rebel groups. Peace talks between the Colombian government and the largest remaining rebel group, the ELN, have entered their third round of negotiations in Cuba.
Another important step towards achieving peace in Colombia is the reintegration of ex-combatants into society. Colombia’s reintegration route takes between six to ten years, and the new model provides ex-combatants with theoretical and practical training to facilitate their reintegration into society. However, the reintegration process is not without its challenges. In several cases, the reintegration of female ex-combatants means having them leave an armed group with relatively progressive gender relations only to face discrimination and violence in society. In addition, poor financial prioritization has hindered the successful reintegration of FARC’s ex-guerrillas into society.
Addressing the root causes of the conflict and building sustainable peace is also crucial for achieving lasting peace in Colombia. Efforts to address deforestation and conflicts through community engagement and sustainable practices can also contribute to building sustainable peace.
Another approach is to invest in programs that promote economic development, social justice, and human rights, particularly in areas affected by the conflict. Additionally, it is crucial to involve civil society, including women, youth, and ethnic groups, in the peace process to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. Ultimately, achieving lasting peace in Colombia requires a long-term commitment from all parties involved, as well as the international community, to address the underlying causes of the conflict and promote sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts.
References
- Colombia conflict: Ceasefire with dissident Farc rebels …. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65674709
- Colombia agrees ceasefire with five largest armed groups. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from www.france24.com
- Conflict-related violence in Colombia dropped during …. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from colombiareports.com
- Colombia’s FARC rebels suspend unilateral ceasefire. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from www.reuters.com
- Colombia’s FARC says end of ceasefire a ‘step back’ in …. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from www.reuters.com
- Peace process reduced violence in Colombia but brings new …. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from www.sandiegouniontribune.com
- Parties to Final Agreement Agree Colombia Conflict Can Be …. (n.d.) Retrieved May 25, 2023, from press.un.org/en/2023/sc15255.doc.htm
By The European Institute for International Law and International Relations.
