Colombia - The Strategic Challenge
Abstract
Americans tend to view Colombia's problems as a single issue: drugs. While the country is the source of approximately 80 percent of the cocaine used in the United States and Europe, as well as a significant proportion of the heroin consumed in the eastern United States, the drug trade is a symptom of a deeper malaise. It results from the inability of the Colombian government to exert its authority in large areas of the country -- a weakness that is exploited by armed insurgent groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and the United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia (AUC). The violent actions of these and other groups have produced gruesome human rights violations, rampant crime and lawlessness, and displaced thousands of people. The political stability of the country has been called into question. Any U.S. strategy that seeks to shore up the Colombian government and make progress in the drug war must take into account these realities. The drug trade is linked both to the weakness of the Government of Colombia and to the insatiable demand for drugs by the U.S. market. The latter is an issue for domestic education and health authorities; the former lies within the realm of the national security strategist. The strategist must recognize, however, that as long as the demand for narcotics exists, a complete victory cannot be won in the drug war. The demand side of the problem must be attacked as vigorously as the supply side. With this important caveat, the author believes that the United States can make an important, positive difference in Colombia by strengthening that country's public institutions in both the military and civil sectors, bolstering government authority throughout the country, and promoting rural development. This strategy recognizes that the problem is a long-term one that cannot be solved by a military "quick-fix."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA442431
Entities
People
- Edward J. Ramotowski
Organizations
- National War College