The internationalization of the Colombian conflict toward the equator in the first decade of the twenty-first Ccentury

Abstract

One of the most important variables that could make our internal conflict international is the actual decision of both parties in the matter. That’s why my research was focused on studying the international strategies used by the two main sides of the conflict in Colombia, the Government and Las Farc. The Colombian strategy focused itself on the search of the legitimacy assistance of the United States, underestimating the importance of Colombia´s neighbors to be able to reach an end to this conflict, especially if the recent armed conflict has focused itself in the frontiers particularly in the southwest of the country. Because of this, Ecuador felt threatened due to the belief that it didn’t have enough capacity to control its hole territory; situation which Las Farc used to find legitimacy and military support from different sectors with influential power from Ecuador. This demonstrates that not only the government underestimated the importance of its neighbors,
viewed from a geopolitical point of view, but also underestimated the “parallel diplomacy” that Las Farc handles. They looked to occupy the territory left unguarded by the Colombian Government. The result, a political unrest between Colombia and its neighbors which led to the rupture of bilateral relationship between Colombia and Ecuador for a little more now than two years.