Land of “la violencia”

Traditional Political Parties, 19th and early-20th centuries

Conservative Party

Principles?

Supporters?

Liberal Party

Principles?

Supporters?

Initiation of “la violencia”

Liberal Party hegemony, 1853-1884 1853 Liberal Constitution Factionalization of Liberals (golgatas and

draconianos) 1863 adoption of new Constitution – established

Confederacy and opened door for department-level bloodshed and political conflict

Conservative dominance, political reform, more violence

Conservative political dominance and reforms, 1884-1899

1884 Constitution 1899 War of a Thousand Days (Panama breaks

away)

“la violencia,” 1948-1958• Underlying causes

• “El Bogotazo,” February 1948

• Character of political conflict and violence

•

Period of National Front

Power-sharing agreement• 1958-1974, formal agreement

--President alternated between Conservatives and Liberals--Cabinet parity--legislature equally divided

• 1974-early-1990s, informal agreement

Consequences of National Front

Political Conflict, 1960s-present

Major Actors:

• Guerrilla organizations

FARC, ELN, EPL, M-19

• Colombian military

• Paramilitary organizations

• Drug lords/narcotraficantes

• U.S. government

M-19

Movimiento Abril 19

(April 19 Movement)

• Now the M-19/AD Party

Carlos Pizarro, former head of M-19 guerrilla org. (on left)

FARC

Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia

Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces

• Largest guerrilla organization in Colombia

• Controls large areas of Colombia

• Financing: kidnapping, “taxes” on coca growers and the wealthy

ELN

Ejército de Liberación Nacional

Army of National Liberation• Smaller group• Target energy pipelines and

infrastructure

EPL

Ejército Popular de LiberaciónPopular Liberation Army• Smaller than FARC or ELN• Negotiated peace with government

in 1991

Colombian Military

• Historical U.S.-Colombian Military Relationship

• War on Drugs

• Current Relationship with U.S.

Paramilitary Groups

• Historical Background

• Association with drug trafficking

• MAS

• AUC

• Involvement in political killings

• Relationship with Colombian military

Narcotraficantes

U.S. Government

Plan Colombia

• designed by Colombian President Pastrana to curb drug trafficking and civil disorder

• supported by U.S. government financially, militarily and morally

Goals of Plan Colombia

Colombia’s goal:

• Gain control over country by eliminating guerillas

U.S. goal:

• Reduce trafficking in illegal drugs

Methods of Plan Colombia

2000-2001 $1.2 b. U.S. counter-narcotics aid to Colombia, 80% for military equipment and training

2002 $731 m. Andean Counter-drug Initiative, 65% for military equipment and training