State, Rule of Law and Armed Violence in Colombia (2000-2011)

Abstract

For the sustainable overcoming of armed violence in Colombia, with or without negotiations, the notion of "positive peace" is a must. Military success shows its precariousness before the need to strengthen the rule of law in a setting of urgent social, political and economic challenges.
During the last decade, both the Democratic Security Policy and Plan Colombia have prioritized the strengthening of the state in terms of security, territorial control and military toughness. Overcoming armed violence in terms of absence of conflict is the wrong concept behind the mentioned strategy.
Issues such as social inequality, poverty, parapolitics, collusion of political and state sectors with drug trafficking and armed groups, persistent guerrilla violence, increasing paramilitarism, violations of human rights (HR) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and forced displacement are persisting challenges to overcome, beyond mere security, if we are to aspire to a true realization of peace in Colombia.