Cocaine Violence Driven by Marxist Guerrilla Army Rocks Colombia
Colombia’s traditionally peaceful cocaine traffic corridor has been disrupted by a resurgent Marxist guerrilla army, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), fueling a surge in violence and bloodshed. The conflict has seen a sharp increase in kidnappings, bombings, and assassinations, mainly targeting coca farmers and anyone associate with the drug trade.
The FARC, which was previously demilitarized in 2016 as part of a peace treaty, has regrouped and launched a new insurgency, seeking to reassert its control over the cocaine trade. The group has been waging a war against the Colombian military and other drug traffickers, leading to a rise in violence and instability throughout the country.
At the center of the conflict are two main rival factions: the FARC and the MedellÃn cartel, led by drug lord Dávila Borrero. The cartel has been accused of using brutal tactics, including beheadings and dismemberments, to maintain its control over the cocaine trade. The FARC, in turn, has been accused of launching attacks on coca farmers and their families, in an effort to extort and intimidate them into handing over their profits to the group.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on coca farmers, who are caught in the crossfire, with some forced to work long hours for minimal pay and others forced to abandon their land. The violence has also led to a surge in refugee migration, as thousands of Colombians flee their homes in search of safety.
Colombia’s government, led by President Iván Duque, has vowed to take action to restore order and stability to the region. Duque has launched a new military campaign to target the FARC and other drug cartels, but many are skeptical of the government’s ability to stem the tide of violence.
The cocaine trade remains a deeply entrenched and lucrative criminal enterprise, with billions of dollars in profits fueling the conflict. As long as the lure of wealth and power remains, it seems unlikely that the violence will subside. Colombia’s future looks uncertain, as the country teeters on the brink of all-out war.
