Historical Encyclopedia
Colombia has experienced numerous civil wars and armed conflicts that have shaped the political, social, and economic fate of the country over the past two centuries. These conflicts left a deep mark on Colombian society, leading to widespread violence, destruction of infrastructure, and political instability. Some of the most significant moments in Colombia's history include the Thousand Days' War, La Violencia, and the prolonged armed conflict associated with the activities of guerrilla movements, drug cartels, and government forces.
After the declaration of independence in 1819, Colombia faced a series of internal conflicts caused by struggles for power and ideological disagreements among various political groups. In the 19th century, the main opponents were the liberals and conservatives. These two political parties held fundamentally different views on how to govern the country, leading to several civil wars.
One of the first major conflicts was the civil war of 1839, known as the War of the Upper. It was triggered by religious issues and disagreements between liberals and conservatives. In the following decades, Colombia continued to experience political instability that manifested itself in numerous armed conflicts.
The most destructive conflict of the 19th century was the Thousand Days' War (1899–1902). This war between liberals and conservatives resulted in enormous losses among both military personnel and civilians. Estimates suggest that between 60,000 to 100,000 people died. The country's economy was devastated, and Colombia lost control of Panama, which declared independence in 1903 with the support of the United States.
One of the most tragic and brutal periods in Colombian history was La Violencia, which lasted from 1948 to 1958. This period of civil war was triggered by political instability and the intensification of the confrontation between liberals and conservatives. The assassination of popular liberal leader Jorge Elieser Gaitán in April 1948 served as the catalyst for the conflict, leading to widespread riots known as El Bogotazo, which spread across the country.
La Violencia was characterized by large-scale clashes between supporters of both parties, terror, political assassinations, and forced mobilization of the population. Over the ten years of civil war, more than 200,000 people lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes. La Violencia left deep wounds in Colombian society and led to prolonged political instability.
After the end of La Violencia in 1958, the conflict in Colombia was not resolved. Various armed groups began to form in the country, fighting for social and political change. One such group was the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), founded in 1964 as a leftist radical organization inspired by Marxist and socialist ideas. FARC began an armed struggle against the government, advocating for agrarian reform and the protection of peasant interests.
At the same time, other guerrilla movements emerged in Colombia, such as the National Liberation Army (ELN), also founded in 1964. The ELN, inspired by the ideas of the Cuban revolution and Che Guevara, fought against the exploitation of natural resources by foreign companies and demanded social justice for the poorest segments of the population.
These guerrilla movements employed guerrilla warfare tactics, including hostage-taking, attacks on military targets, and sabotage. Meanwhile, the Colombian government and its allies began an active fight against these groups, leading to a prolonged armed conflict.
In the 1970s, new players entered the conflict—drug cartels. Colombia became a major producer of cocaine, and drug trafficking became a primary source of income for various armed groups, including FARC and ELN. The most notorious cartels included the Medellín Cartel led by Pablo Escobar and the Cali Cartel.
Drug cartels not only controlled the production and transportation of drugs but also actively intervened in the country's politics, using bribery, violence, and murder to achieve their goals. Drug lords like Pablo Escobar became some of the most influential figures in Colombia, posing a threat to the country's security and government institutions.
The state began an active fight against drug trafficking but faced fierce resistance. In the 1980s and 1990s, the level of violence in Colombia reached critical levels: drug cartels murdered police officers, judges, and politicians who attempted to combat the drug trade. The country experienced an increase in kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and banditry. This period became one of the bloodiest in Colombian history.
Despite the escalation of violence, Colombia made attempts at peace negotiations with guerrilla groups over the decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, the government tried several times to establish a ceasefire with FARC and ELN, but most of these attempts did not lead to lasting peace.
One of the first significant steps was the signing of a ceasefire agreement with the M-19 movement in 1990. This armed movement, also created in the 1970s, ultimately renounced violence and became a political party. However, groups like FARC and ELN continued their armed struggle.
After decades of conflict, a historic breakthrough was achieved in 2016. The Colombian government, led by President Juan Manuel Santos, signed a peace agreement with FARC, marking an end to more than half a century of conflict. The agreement included the disarmament of guerrillas, the creation of special tribunals to investigate war crimes, and a commitment to social and political integration of former FARC fighters.
For this achievement, Juan Manuel Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. However, the peace agreement sparked controversial reactions in society. Many Colombians supported the agreement, seeing it as an opportunity for long-awaited peace, while others, particularly conservatives, criticized it for being “too lenient” towards FARC.
Despite the peace agreement with FARC, violence in Colombia has not completely ceased. Other armed groups, such as ELN and various criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, continue to operate in the country. Many former FARC fighters, dissatisfied with the terms of reintegration, have taken up arms again.
Moreover, the government has faced difficulties in fulfilling the conditions of the peace agreement. The reintegration of former fighters, protection of peasant rights, and tackling the issue of social inequality require significant effort and time. In some regions of the country, acts of violence continue related to struggles for control over territories and resources.
The history of civil wars and armed conflict in Colombia is a complex and painful chapter in the country’s life. Despite numerous attempts to achieve peace, Colombia continues to face challenges of violence and political instability. However, the peace agreement with FARC in 2016 marked an important step towards stability and reconciliation. The future of the country depends on whether the authorities and society can address the root issues underlying the conflict and ensure long-term peace for all Colombians.