The Complex History of Colombia: From Bandits to Guerrillas

The struggle for power in Colombia has historically been marked by violence, leading to unique social dynamics due to unequal land distribution and limited political participation. This environment justified armed rebellion as the only method to enact societal change, with proponents believing that only through force could abuses be prevented and natural rights secured. This contentious method of resistance was further influenced by factors like the rise of drug trafficking, new political actors, the Cold War, and the war on terrorism, culminating in the oldest internal conflict in the Western Hemisphere with over 260,000 deaths, tens of thousands missing, and nearly 7 million displaced.

The conflict in Colombia has resulted in more than 260,000 deaths, tens of thousands missing, and nearly 7 million displaced individuals. The atrocities include violations, kidnappings, and countless tragedies, painting a grim picture of the prolonged internal strife in the country.

On April 9, 1948, the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, a prominent liberal leader in Colombia, sparked widespread chaos known as the 'Bogotazo.' Gaitán was shot four times by Juan Roa Sierra, leading to violent riots, looting, and clashes with the police. The assassination intensified the bipartisanship conflict and laid the groundwork for the emergence of guerrilla groups in Colombia.

In 1846, Jose Eusebio Caro and Mariano Ospina Rodriguez established the doctrinal foundations of the Conservative Party, while Ezequiel Rojas formulated the programmatic bases of the Liberal Party. The Conservative Party advocated for a continuation of the social and political system that protected the interests of the wealthy class, whereas the Liberal Party presented itself as a reformist alternative defending the interests of merchants and less privileged groups. This marked the beginning of the conservative-liberal bipartisanship in Colombia.

From 1853 onwards, conservatives and liberals dominated Colombian elections, leading to 54 civil wars throughout the 19th century. These conflicts included 14 conservative-liberal wars, two liberal-conservative wars, and 38 internal liberal conflicts. The continuous struggle for power between the two parties culminated in what became known as the period of violence, characterized by political instability and social unrest.

The conservative hegemony in Colombia lasted for 44 years, starting in 1886 when Jose Maria Campo Serrano assumed the presidency under the Regeneration movement. This period saw the enactment of the centralist and conservative 1886 Constitution. The conservative rule faced challenges, including the 1000 Days War from 1899 to 1902, resulting in conservative victory. Subsequent rebellions and the independence of Panama in 1903 further shaped Colombian politics.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Colombia witnessed the rise of bandoleros, who were often peasants driven to take up arms in response to government oppression. Some bandoleros, like the Chulavitas and Pajaros, were former police or soldiers who joined paramilitary groups. Initially viewed as Robin Hood figures for redistributing wealth to the poor, bandoleros faced criticism for their violent tactics, extortion of landowners, and involvement in guerrilla warfare.

Bandits roamed the Colombian lands, leaving behind a legacy of mystery, legends, and rumors. Little is known about them, but much is told. Various stories about them can be found on the speaker's channel.

In 1930, liberal Enrique Olaya Herrera became president after the conservative hegemony. In 1932, the Colombo-Peruvian War erupted during his term. Alfonso López Pumarejo, elected in 1934, promoted unionism, strike rights, and women's citizenship without voting rights. He also introduced freedom of religion and protection of motherhood.

During Eduardo Santos' liberal presidency, the Gachetá massacre occurred, leading to controversy. Subsequent presidents faced challenges, including dealing with the aftermath of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán's assassination, which sparked the infamous Bogotazo. This event marked the beginning of a violent period known as 'La Violencia.'

After a period of relative calm, a new phase of the bipartisan conflict emerged with increased intensity. The conservative party, led by Laureano Gómez, intensified a policy of extermination against political opponents. Guerrilla attacks and alliances between liberal and communist groups further escalated the violence.

In June 1953, Laureano Gómez faced a loss of support due to his fascist actions. The National Army, supported by the traditional political class, dealt him a final blow with a coup d'état. General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla took power on June 13, 1953, establishing a military government. This marked the end of the first stage of violence, as a truce was reached with liberal guerrillas. However, the dictatorial repression continued with press censorship, opposition suppression, and persecution of Protestantism.

The National Front agreement, in effect from 1958 to 1974, featured bipartisan presidential alternation for four terms. While a positive step towards dialogue, it excluded non-traditional parties, leading to the rise of opposition movements like the Liberal Revolutionary Movement and the Independent Revolutionary Workers' Movement.

During the governments of Rojas Pinilla, Alberto Yas Camargo, and Guillermo León Valencia, non-demobilized individuals were labeled bandits and common criminals. Manuel Marulanda Vélez, alias 'Tirofijo,' survived the crackdown. In 1964, communist peasants and bandits gathered in Marquetalia, Tolima, forming a 'Republic of Freedom.' This led to the creation of the guerrilla group FARC after a government attack dispersed the armed peasants.

The FARC, born out of historical and global contexts, emerged amidst Latin American liberation struggles fueled by the Cold War tensions. Other notable communist guerrilla organizations like ELN, EPL, and M-19 also arose during this period, each with distinct political ideologies and operational methods. By the early 1980s, FARC solidified its presence as a significant guerrilla force in Colombia.

In the late 1970s, right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia, supported by sectors of the armed forces, landowners, businessmen, and politicians, intensified the violence in the country. Simultaneously, the influence of drug trafficking on the Colombian armed conflict grew, with both paramilitary groups and guerrillas benefiting from it. Between 1974 and 1990, Colombia saw several constitutional reforms that, despite some progress, still left serious social and distributional deficiencies.

Starting in the year 2000, the United States began providing technical and economic assistance to Colombia in the fight against insurgency and drug trafficking through the Plan Colombia. Over 15 years, the US injected around $10 billion into the country, leading to the modernization of the military and police forces. During this time, the FARC guerrilla group reached its peak military capacity with approximately 20,000 armed members.

The extermination of the left-wing political party Union Patriotica, accused of ties to the FARC, convinced many guerrillas of the futility of democratic means. Colombia's path from that moment until the present day has been marked by significant violence, corruption, and numerous human rights violations, including kidnappings and massacres.

Despite its natural wealth, Colombia ranks as one of the most unequal countries globally, third only to Haiti and Honduras in the Americas. The origins of contemporary guerrilla groups in Colombia are attributed to socio-economic exclusion and a lack of political participation opportunities for marginalized sectors, including the intellectual, peasant, and indigenous populations.

Many question whether Colombia has overcome its challenges, emphasizing that peace can only be achieved through equal opportunities, wealth distribution, social justice, tolerance, and the eradication of corruption and violence. The ongoing conflict in Colombia reflects a deep social divide between the political elite and marginalized groups, highlighting the need for comprehensive societal changes.

The Colombian civil population has been ensnared in an enduring armed conflict perpetuated by the lucrative war economy sustained by narcotrafficking. The cycle of violence remains fueled by drug money, creating a vicious circle of conflict. Understanding Colombia's history is crucial for shaping its future, as the nation grapples with the consequences of prolonged violence and corruption.