Numero 18 (2004) Colombia from the Inside, Perspectives on Drugs, War and Peace
Michiel Baud & Donny Meertens eds.
Colombia is Latin America's linchpin. Located between Central and South America, it is a crucial geopolitical region. Unfortunately, today its strategic hemispheric position has turned from an asset into a serious liability.
Civil war and an increasing narcotics industry have led to a fragmented political system, an uncontrollable economy and a vulnerable international position. The volume, with contributions from seven eminent Colombian scholars, centres on this complex and often contradictory society, which has been dogged by violence, international controversy and uncontrolled military strife for decades.
The text is largely based on a seminar on the Colombian Conflict in International Perspective, held at the third Congreso Europeo de Latinoamericanistas (CEISAL), in Amsterdam, and a meeting organized at the Nether-lands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, in 2002.
During these events, Colombian scholars gave their views on the complex situation of their country. The principal aim of their analysis was to present a vision from within and share their views on the current dynamics of conflict - particularly in the context of North American anti-terrorist and anti-drugs measures - with international academics and policy makers.
The contributors are: Álvaro Camacho (University of the Andes, Bogota), Francisco Leal (University of the Andes, Bogota), Alfredo Molano (political analyst and writer), Alfredo Rangel (Foundation for Security and Democracy, Bogota), Mauricio Romero (Rosario University, Bogota), Gonzalo Sánchez (National University of Colombia, Bogota) and Ricardo Vargas (Transnational Institute and Andean Action Platform).
