Issue in Focus: Colombia

Human Rights, Democratic Reform at the Top of Obama’s Agenda in Cuba, says Susan Rice

By Ashish Kumar Sen

President will make historic visit to Havana on March 20 Human rights and democratic reform will be at the top of US President Barack Obama’s agenda when he visits Cuba next week and meets with Cuban President Raúl Castro as well as civil society leaders of his choosing, and not those handpicked by Havana, according […]

Women in Colombia Hold the Key to Peace

By Andrea Saldarriaga Jiménez

In many countries, women are agents of change who bring about positive transformations not only for themselves, but for the societies in which they live. In other parts of the world, however, women are victimized and still relegated to second-class citizens. Sometimes these two things can be happening at the same time in the same […]

Colombia’s President Santos Faces Next Big Challenge—Selling His Peace Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leader describes peace deal with leftist FARC rebels as an ‘irreversible moment’ Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, wholeheartedly believes that his attempt to end the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running war will bear fruit, the big challenge, however, will be convincing Colombians that “peace is going to be marvelous.” “Most Colombians have never seen one single day […]

Path to peace and prosperity the Colombian miracle

By Miguel Silva

  Colombia approaches the third anniversary of the negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on November 19 at a time of heightened expectations that peace is within reach. The Atlantic Council report, The Path to Peace and Prosperity: The Colombian Miracle, warns that peace will not be inexpensive and calls for deep […]

Biden: Colombian President Santos a ‘Man of Peace’

Remarks* by Vice President Joe Biden at the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards Ceremony, October 1, 2015 The American Museum of Natural History New York, New York      THE VICE PRESIDENT:  If you applaud much more, that whale is going to fall out of the sky.  (Laughter.)       Thank you for that gracious introduction.  I’m […]

Colombian President Santos’ Quest for Peace

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award recipient shunned popularity in bid for peace with leftist guerrillas The Atlantic Council will honor Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos with its Global Citizen Award in New York on October 1 in recognition of his unwavering commitment to make peace with leftist guerrillas and end Latin America’s longest-running war. Santos […]

Colombia’s Peace Negotiations: Keeping the Focus on Transitional Justice

By Andrea Saldarriaga Jiménez

A pledge by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Rodrigo Londoño (better known by the nom de guerre Timochenko), the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), at their historic meeting in Havana on September 23 to end Latin America’s longest-running conflict within six months has raised expectations for peace. But while […]

Colombia Bets in Favor of Peace

By Carlos Guzman

Colombians cast their vote for the presidential elections this last Sunday, leading to the re-election of incumbent president Juan Manuel Santos. The question of what the bitterly contested election’s final result means for the near future of the Andean country reigns as the dust settles from Sunday’s vote. Amid good economic conditions, an improving quality […]