Kolumbijos konfliktas - šiuolaikinio pilietinio karo atvejis ; Colombian conflict - example of contemporary civil war

Colombia’s internal conflict is one of the longest running and the most challenging and violent conflicts in Western hemisphere. It has killed about 400 000 civilians, and displaced more than 3 million people. All the spheres of the state and society were affected by violence. Conflict also has impact beyond Colombia’s borders, spilling into the region with consequences for migration, borders, regional relations as well as international policy and engagement. Moreover, it is closely related to illicit drug industry. This conflict broke out because of many reasons. First of all, there were political causes. Democracy was limited; only two parties could have participated in the politics. Moreover, they always competed with each other. Also institutions were weak and corrupt. Secondly, it is very important to take into account economical and social causes. Almost all arable land belonged to a small group of rich people and the poor ones didn’t have any of it. 70 % of people lived below poverty line, there was a big gap between rich and poor, unemployment rates were very high. So for these reasons guerilla groups were formed. The main fighters of the conflict are ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) and FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia). They are the oldest guerilla groups in the world. Since the mid-1980’s they have become financially dependant on criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping. In 1996 paramilitary group AUC (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia) was formed. Now it is demobilized, but still there are a lot of problems related with it. There are different opinions about this conflict. Mostly it is agreed that Colombian conflict is a very serious civil war and that it is necessary to take measures to solve it. However, some scientists believe that this conflict is internal but not civil war. Still they agree that it is very dangerous.[.].