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Colombia. Land of “la violencia”. Conservative Party Principles? Supporters?. Liberal Party Principles? Supporters?. Traditional Political Parties, 19 th and early-20 th centuries. Initiation of “ la violencia ”. Liberal Party hegemony, 1853-1884 1853 Liberal Constitution
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Colombia Land of “la violencia”
Conservative Party Principles? Supporters? Liberal Party Principles? Supporters? Traditional Political Parties, 19th and early-20th centuries
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 Liberación Popular 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
Plan Colombia • designed by Colombian President Pastrana to curb drug trafficking and civil disorder • supported by U.S. government financially, militarily and morally
Colombia’s goal: Gain control over country by eliminating guerillas U.S. goal: Reduce trafficking in illegal drugs Goals of Plan Colombia
Methods of Plan Colombia 2000-2001 $1.2 b. U.S. counter-narcotics aid to Colombia, 80% for military equipment and training • $731 m. Andean Counter-drug Initiative, 65% for military equipment and training