Historically, what is the correlation between female leaders and the initiation of armed conflict?10/5/2023 ![]() ![]() While force may often be required, top brass and civilian leaders need to assess candidly how strategies rooted in capture-or-kill operations and coca eradication have failed to curb violence and often worsened it. Moreover, in the short term, the military is set to remain at the core of security policy. ![]() But armed outfits may reject or even take advantage of the government’s entreaties for peace. Recently elected President Gustavo Petro, the first left-wing leader in the country’s recent history, has pledged to honour the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), press on with efforts to negotiate with and demobilise other armed and criminal groups, and move away from reliance on military force – an about-face from the outgoing government’s credo. Vowing to enact sweeping changes to the police and military, a new government is taking the helm in Colombia at a time of surging violence. The military should take fuller account of the costs of its operations to rural communities, discard those where costs outweigh benefits and work toward dialogue to rebuild community trust. What should be done? Civilian government leaders should prioritise community protection in rural areas and embrace new indicators for gauging the military’s success. By changing its goals and methods, it can help build confidence, become more effective and better protect civilians from armed groups. Yet its emphasis on high-level captures and coca eradication undermines community safety. Why does it matter? The military is the only institution capable of responding to resurgent violence in the short term. A newly inaugurated administration has promised to refocus attention on civilian protection, raising the prospect of major reform. ![]() What’s new? Military strategy in Colombia’s rural areas has failed to contain the conflicts that arose following the 2016 peace accord with its largest guerrilla movement. ![]()
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