Key Players

There were a number of different actors that played significant roles in the Armed Conflict in Colombia.

Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

Former liberal Mayor of Bogota, his assassination in 1948 triggered violent riots and marked the beginning of the bloody period in Colombia’s history known as La Violencia.

Álvaro Uribe

President of Colombia between 2002-2008. His aim during this period was to militarily defeat the FARC. He collaborated closely with the US in Plan Colombia.

Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC)

A marxist guerilla organisation formed in 1964. It was the largest of Colombia’s guerilla groups and had 10,000 soldiers at the height of its power (most of which were recruited from rural areas).

Juan Manuel Santos

As President of Colombia from 2012-2018, Santos was responsible for the successful negotiations between the FARC and Colombian Government which led to the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2016. He was Head of Security/Armed Forces under his predecessor, Álvaro Uribe.

Key Players - Armed Conflict in Columbia