A new report from the Atlantic Council is urging Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella to rethink how his government confronts the country’s armed conflict, arguing that simply taking back territory from illegal armed groups by force is no longer enough.
The analysis, produced by the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition, a working group within the Washington-based think tank, warns that armed groups in Colombia have evolved, and that the state’s response needs to evolve with them. Recovering contested land, the report says, means little if the government cannot maintain a lasting presence there once security forces move in.
The report ties its recommendations to a new phase in relations between Colombia and the United States, highlighting a $1 billion aid package recently announced by Washington. Researchers suggest that instead of funneling that money mainly into military operations, Colombia should combine security efforts with rural development projects, protections for local communities, and stronger government institutions in the regions hit hardest by decades of violence.
The report reportedly lays out four specific recommendations for the De La Espriella administration, though only part of that guidance—centered on securing a lasting state presence—was detailed in early coverage.
For the complete list of recommendations and further context, read the full report at El Tiempo.
Source: Las cuatro recomendaciones del Atlantic Council a De La Espriella ante nuevo mapa del conflicto en Colombia (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: asboluv, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).