An armed conflict in the service of the social and political status quo

Abstract

Originally published by the Comisión Histórica del Conflicto y sus Víctimas, this article reviews the origins of the armed conflict in Colombia, the reasons for its continuation, and its effects on the civil population. The author emphasizes the context of the interactions between the conflict’s protagonists. At the end of his analysis, he concludes that this violence has preserved the social and political status quo, which will accentuate inequalities and the lack of citizenship suffered in Colombia, unless the recent peace negotiations open the possibility for new reforms.