Colombian Labyrinth
The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability
U.S. policy toward Colombia has been driven to a large extent by counter-narcotics considerations, but the evolving situation in that South American country confronts the United States with as much of a national security as a drug policy problem. Colombia is a geostrategically important country, whose trajectory will influence broader trends in the Andean region and beyond. Colombian Labyrinth examines the sources of instability in the country; the objectives, strategy, strengths, and weaknesses of the government, guerrillas, and paramilitaries and the balances among them; and the effects of the current U.S. assistance program. Possible scenarios and futures for Colombia are laid out, with implications for both the United States and neighboring countries. The authors find that instability in Colombia stems from the interaction and synergies of the underground drug economy and armed challenges to the state’s authority. Solutions to the core problem — the weakness of the Colombian State — must focus on resolving the broader set of political-military challenges that result from the convergence of drug trafficking and insurgency. The authors recommend that Colombia’s military and institutional capabilities be improved to enable the Colombian government to regain control of the countryside and that, at the same time, the United States work with Colombia’s neighbors to contain the risk of spillover and regional destabilization.
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Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Available
- Print Format: Paperback
- Paperback Pages: 128
- List Price: $20.00
- Paperback Price: $16.00
- Paperback ISBN/EAN: 0-8330-2994-0
- Document Number: MR-1339-AF
- Year: 2001
- Series: Monograph Reports
Contents
Preface PDF
Figures PDF
Tables PDF
Summary PDF
Acknowledgments PDF
Acronyms PDF
Map PDF
Chapter One
Introduction PDF
Chapter Two
The Illegal Drug Trade PDF
Chapter Three
Origins and Development of the Guerrillas PDF
Chapter Four
Guerrilla Strategy PDF
Chapter Five
The Illegal Self-Defense Groups: Cause or Symptom of the Disorder? PDF
Chapter Six
Colombian Government Strategy PDF
Chapter Seven
The Peace Negotiations PDF
Chapter Eight
Colombian Futures PDF
Chapter Nine
A Wider Conflict? PDF
Chapter Ten
Implications for U.S. Interests PDF
Appendix
The Colombian Armed Forces PDF
Bibliography PDF
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