Written and Researched by: Kate Safarian Callan Rolf Hughes, Matt and Mitch

COLOMBIA CONFLICT

MAP OF COLOMBIA

COLOMBIA

Population: 45, 000,000

F.A.R.C CONTROL OF COLUMBIA

F.A.R.C = Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

Ten year civil war (La Violencia) in 1948. Liberal VS. Conservative Assassination of Jorge Eliece Gaitan (liberal) Bagotazo riot

Rojas Pinilla:

Gained presidency in 1953 Wanted to end violence Relax censorship Created public projects Created 3 rd force

La Violencia: The Civil War

HISTORY OF COLOMBIAN CONFLICT

HISTORY OF COLOMBIA

Rojas Pinilla Unable to reconstruct the society Violence began again by 1955 Became a dictatorship with strong press censorship Economy became unstable

• National Front created in 1957

• Rural Communist militaries organized FARC

• 200,000 dead by 1958

• FARC founded by Manuel Marulanda in 1964

• Was first used to defend peasants from the government

• Made most of their money through drugs, kidnapping, and other crimes

ARMED FORCES IN COLOMBIA

• United self defense force of Colombia was founded by Carlos Castano and his brothers

• Were used to fight the FARC and defended Peasants from being kidnapped and ransomed

KEY FIGURES IN COLOMBIA

Pablo Escobar was a very wealthy drug lord for Medellin cartel

“Plata O Plomo”Once controlled 80% of the

cocaine distribution in ColombiaRobin hood to the poor, helped

build schools, hospitals. Helped build up the poorer areas of west Colombia

• Ingrid Betancourt former Colombian senator

• Taken in 2002 by FARC when travelling to San Vicente del Caguan

• Presidential candidate trying to fight corruption inside the government

4 KEY EVENTSIN COLOMBIAN CONFLICT

1948-The assassination of the left-wing mayor of Bogota Eliécer Gaitán, leads to the “Bogotaza.”

1964-The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ( FARC) is founded.

1971- The FARC begins kidnapping as a major source of income.

1991-A New Constitution is written. It replaces the 1886 Constitution.

KEY DATES

Calculated that 4 million people have been displaced in Colombia due to the conflict

At least 250,000 lives lost

COLOMBIA

FARC generates more than 50 percent of the world’s cocaine

Today Colombia, remains the closest US ally in South America

Relationship has strengthened because of Plan Colombia

Aid Promotes democracy Combats drug trafficking and terrorism

Alliance between Colombia and United states has created friction with neighboring countries

Grants US access to up to seven military bases

CURRENTLY IN COLOMBIA

Enormous social and humanitarian impact throughoutPresident Uribe tried to run for a third term Juan Manuel Santo was elected in 2010. Rebel groups call a two month cease fire. September 2012 Santos rejects FARC ceasefire call

CONCLUSION

2012 Colombian Military launched Espada de Honor War Plan

Aggressive strategies: dismantle FARC structure crippling militarily and financially.

Focused on eliminating most powerful economic and military fronts.

TODAY: Peace groups in Colombia to encourage social

involvement Solve remaining conflict.

2012

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