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Colombia: Violence and Democracy

Colombia: Violence and Democracy. Max Cameron Poli 332 March 30, 2009. Colombia’s Turbulent Political History. Two-party system dates to 19th century High level of violence: 1948 assassination of Gaitan in and La Violencia (1946-1964, esp. 1948-53): 200,000 killed

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Colombia: Violence and Democracy

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  1. Colombia: Violence and Democracy Max Cameron Poli 332 March 30, 2009

  2. Colombia’s Turbulent Political History • Two-party system dates to 19th century • High level of violence: 1948 assassination of Gaitan in and La Violencia (1946-1964, esp. 1948-53): 200,000 killed • The National Front (1956-1974): a pact like Punto Fijo • Emergence of FARC, ELN • ANAPO, M-19 • 1991 a democratic constitution adopted by democratic means • Major threats to constitutional order today: • Drug cartels • Guerrillas (FARC and ELN) • Paramilitaries

  3. Elections in Colombia • Elections are regular, turnout typically around 45%; Citizens trust electoral institutions • Elections are not entirely clean or free: voters are often intimidated, especially in rural areas. • Parapolitica scandal has exposed a kind of fraud • Clientelistic vote-buying also commonplace • Elected officials are subject to undue influence by armed groups (paramilitaries). Dozens of members of congress are under paramilitary influence

  4. Constitutional Order in Colombia • Disputes have occurred within the constitution • Re-election approved in 2005, reinforced presidentialism, weakening checks & balances • There is a pattern of executive interference in judiciary • Repeated attempts have been made to rollback powers of the Constitutional Court and limit judicial review • Military courts shield human rights abuses

  5. Citizenship in Colombia • 40 years of internal conflict has created 3 million displaced people (7% total pop) • Only Sudan has larger number of internally displaced persons • Struggles over land are at the heart of the conflict between FARC, paramilitaries, drug traffickers • Journalists of have been targeted • Violence against trade unionists limit the freedom of association. 2,665 killed since 1986, 400 under Uribe government.

  6. Summary and Conclusions • In Colombia the core institutions of electoral democracy are threatened by illegal actors • The constitution has not been altered by unconstitutional means, but checks and balances have been disrupted by • Efforts to expand presidential powers • A persistent pattern of attacks on the independence of the judiciary • The erosion of the legitimacy of congress due to parapolitica influence • The exercise of citizenship is hindered by widespread violence

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