Publications
Articles, publications, books, tools and multimedia features from the U.S. Institute of Peace provide the latest news, analysis, research findings, practitioner guides and reports, all related to the conflict zones and issues that are at the center of the Institute’s work to prevent and reduce violent conflict.
Consolidating Disarmament: Lessons from Colombia’s Reintegration Program for Demobilized Paramilitaries
An essential component of any post-conflict stabilization program is the permanent dismantlement of armed groups and their fruitful absorption into civilian society—this process is known as disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. Although Colombia continues to wrestle with violent conflict at the hands of multiple armed factions, the country embarked on a major DDR program in 2003 with the goal of permanently ending the threat of violence from one of those armed factions—the United Se...
Colombia's Crossroads: The FARC and the Future of the Hostages
This USIPeace Briefing discusses the condition of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, their hostages and the potential direction of this situation. The briefing stresses insights that key figures in the issue raised in recent visits to Washington, DC.
On the Issues: Colombia
Image on right: In Bogota's main square, relatives and friends of kidnapped people by the FARC march to demand the release of all the hostages. (AP Photo) In January 2008, two Colombian hostages who had been held by the FARC guerilla group were freed in an agreement brokered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. However, more than 700 hostages remain, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. citizens. Ginny Bouvier is a senior program officer in USIP’s Gran...
New Hopes for Negotiated Solutions in Colombia
Drawing from a series of conferences and events organized by USIP, this report examines the status of current peace initiatives in Colombia with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). It also assesses the paramilitary demobilization process and analyzes the role of local, national, and international third-party actors in each of these processes. The analysis reflects developments on the ground through the end of September 2007.
Harbingers of Hope: Peace Initiatives in Colombia
Colombia is poised at a crucial juncture - an opportunity to achieve lasting peace or, alternatively, to spiral into another cycle of violence. How can local, regional, and national actors help build upon peace initiatives to acheive a reconciled society in Colombia?
Civil Society Under Siege in Colombia
This report is based on material gathered during and after a delegation visit to Colombia from February 14 to 20, 2003, organized by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), to evaluate the effects of the internal armed conflict on Colombian civil society.
Colombia: Trip Report on Armed Conflict and Society
Describing impressions from his recent trip to Colombia, U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern stresses that the conflict deserves more attention and concern within the United States.
U.S. Involvement Deepens As Armed Conflict Escalates In Colombia
While American public attention has been focused elsewhere, U.S. engagement in Colombia has been steadily growing, as has the armed conflict there.
Colombia: Trip Report on Armed Conflict and Society
A Current Issues Briefing Co-sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Washington Office on Latin America. Featured remarks from Congressman James P. McGovern (D-Massachusetts).
Peace Agreements: Colombia
Plan Colombia (1999) Posted by USIP Library on: May 15 2000 Source: Colombia. President. Plan Colombia: Plan for Peace, Prosperity, and the Strengthening of the State [Bogota], Colombia: Presidency of the Republic, 1999.