COLOMBIA: 1948 –Brad Quiring | Breanne Claassen | Cam Klassen

October 15, 2013

WHAT IS THE CONFLICT ALL ABOUT?

AND WHEN DID IT HAPPEN?

COLOMBIA: BACKGROUND

1948-58: “La Violencia”

1970’s: “War of Low-Intensity”

WHO IS INVOLVED?

Left-Wing Guerrillas- FARC-Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -Largest revolutionary guerilla movement in conflict-ELN-National Liberation Army -Second largest guerilla movement in conflict

The United States- Provided aid to Colombia as they were one of few who

supported Vietnam War- Made Colombia largest recipient of US aid this year

Right-Wing Paramilitary Groups- Created in 1980 by Colombian Army with help from US aid- Created to combat revolutionary groups—became heavily

involved in drug war, kidnapping and other movements

- Paramilitary has become the most relentless

COLOMBIA: WHO?

HOW IS IT BEING FINANCED?

EXTORTION IN US $

$140, 000, 000 (The sum extorted from Oil Companies each year by the ELN and FARC)

Data: (Barahona, 2011) and (Svante, 2005)

COLOMBIA: HOW?

78%

22%

FARC Financing

NarcoticsOther

70%

30%

AUC Financing

WHY ARE THESE PARTIES INVOLVED?

Left-Wing Guerrillas - An expression of the people… a political and military organization whose aim is the solution of the problems that affect the more than 30 million Colombians who live in poverty

The United States- Cold War geopolitics- Natural Resources

Right-Wing Paramilitary Groups- Established following US recommendation- Are the hired hands of those who have the most to lose in

change

COLOMBIA: WHY?

WHERE IS THIS HAPPENING?

Source: Government of Colombia, 2007

COLOMBIA: WHERE?

FARC Guerrilla Actions1998 - 2005

No. of actions

- Conflicts located away from city centers and government areas

- Guerrilla exploit more remote and inaccessible areas

- Proximity to resources

COLOMBIA: SUMMARY

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REFERENCES