20/7/17, 12(50 pm Poverty, Crime & Conflict: Socio-Economic Inequalities & Prospects for Peace in Colombia | Centre for Security Governance Page 1 of 4 http://secgovcentre.org/2016/10/poverty-crime-and-conflict-socio-economic-inequalities-and-the-prospects-for-peace-in-colombia/ Editor’s Note: This blog article features forthcoming research to be published in the journal State Crime and its forthcoming special edition which will address the theme “Post-Conflict Reconstruction, the Crimes of the Powerful and Transitional Justice” (to be published in April 2017). In keeping with the tradition of innovation for research dissemination on security governance and peacebuilding issues, the Centre for Security Governance is pleased to publish this new kind of contribution to the Academic Spotlight series. Introduction The historic announcement on 24 August 2016 of the peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) paves the way towards peace after 52 years of conflict. Nonetheless, there are many challenges facing Colombia as it transitions to peace. Not least among these are high levels of poverty and socio- economic inequalities, which fueled the insurgency, at least in its early days, and which have helped undermine security and enable crime to escalate. In Colombia, crime is inextricably linked with conflict. The production and trafficking of drugs has sustained and intensified the armed conflict. Insurgent and criminal groups use extortion and kidnapping to pacify communities, control territories and as a source of funds. A vicious circle has been created whereby political and criminal violence are often indistinguishable, and the criminality resulting from conflict has enabled the escalation of the conflict. The opportunities offered by the drugs trade, and the many other illicit economies that exist in Colombia, have attracted paramilitary, criminal and guerrilla groups and others, including officials in the state security sector and administration. There are alliances between these groups and, as a result, impunity, corruption and insecurity have escalated. The penetration of organised crime into the fabric of Colombian society is unlikely to be easily addressed in the aftermath of armed conflict and will continue to pose threats to security and the longer term peace process. This is, in part, because under the final peace agreement, the demobilization of FARC carries the Poverty, Crime & Conflict: Socio-Economic Inequalities & Prospects for Peace in Colombia By: Eleanor Gordon Poverty and socio-economic inequalities are inextricably linked with crime and conflict in Colombia. Unless they are addressed the current peace process will be unsuccessful and crime and insecurity will continue to afflict Colombia and its people, particularly the more vulnerable and marginalized. Academic Spotlight Oct 21, 2016 | Academic Spotlight NEWS BLOG  PUBLICATIONS  STABILITY JOURNAL RESEARCH PROJECTS ESEMINARS  CSG MONTHLY DONATE ABOUT 