Title Colombian labyrinth : the synergy of drugs and insurgency and its implications for regional stability / Angel Rabasa, Peter Chalk

Published Santa Monica, Calif. : RAND, 2001

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Description 1 online resource (xiii, 113 pages) : maps Contents Introduction -- The Illegal Drug Trade -- Origins and Development of the Guerrillas -- Guerrilla Strategy -- The Illegal Self-Defense Groups: Cause or Symptom of the Disorder? -- Colombian Government Strategy -- The Peace Negotiations -- Colombian Futures -- A Wider Conflict? -- Implications for U.S. Interests -- Appendix: The Colombian Armed Forces Summary 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 Notes "Prepared for the United States Air Force." "Project Air Force." Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 107-113) Notes Print version record Subject National security -- Colombia National security -- Latin America Insurgency -- Colombia -- History -- 20th century Guerrillas -- Colombia -- History -- 20th century Drug traffic -- Colombia -- History -- 20th century HISTORY. Trafic de drogue. Politique. Gouvernements. Guérilleros. Sécurité publique. Drug traffic Guerrillas Insurgency Military relations National security Politics and government Strategic aspects of individual places SUBJECT Colombia -- Strategic aspects Colombia -- Politics and government -- 1974- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85028520 United States -- Military relations -- Colombia Colombia -- Military relations -- United States Subject Colombie. Etats-Unis d'Amérique. Colombia Latin America United States Genre/Form History Form Electronic book Author Chalk, Peter LC no. 2001031639 ISBN 0585388687 9780585388687 9780833032416 0833032410 9780833029942 0833029940

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