Fuerza Aérea y conflicto en el Caribe colombiano, 1980-2010

Abstract

This article describes the context of armed conflict in the Colombian Caribbean that affected the operations of the Air Force during 1980 to 2000. Aside from the geographical variety of the region, the article avoids describing the complex challenge facing the Air Force when it comes to ensuring sovereignty in a region where international, national, armed conflict-related and crime-related factors intersect. Taking into account the lasting nature of armed conflict in Colombia and the historical period in question, this study adopts a methodological approach rooted in the country’s recent history. There are several reasons for this: first, the effects of what happened are still unknown, and second it allows us to participate in the socio-political debate on the issue of memory of the conflict. The article describes three processes: first, when armed groups and illegal paramilitary self-defense groups took over using exactions; second, the link between strategic military change of direction, for example, with the Air Force using its Black Hawks, and the dynamics in several areas of the Caribbean. The third process establishes some milestones that would lead to the weakening of illegal groups and paramilitary self-defense groups.

Keywords

• armed conflicts
• colombian caribbean
• military history