NCJ Number
190068
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 243-258
Date Published
August 2001
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the complex relationships among drug traffickers, insurgent guerrilla groups, paramilitary forces, peasants, and the Government's military and police agencies in Colombia, as well as the use of violence and terrorism among them to achieve disparate ends, the narco-terrorist nexus, and strategies and institutional initiatives to combat drug production, trafficking, and terrorism.
Abstract
Organized crime networks, such as those involved in the Colombian drug-trafficking industry, support most of the criminal groups in Colombia. The same is true for most of the insurgent groups. Both the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) profit from and defend the drug trade in furtherance of their revolutionary goals. Criminal organizations are becoming more political in order to protect their long-term positions. Generally, as organized crime thrives in a society with weak institutions, the government is encouraged to use unconventional, militaristic, and repressive measures, which fuel more terrorism by combating violence with violence. The drug enterprise has two sides: the technical (production/commercial) side and the criminal side. To address the technical side of operations, crops must be eradicated while alternative crop production is developed. In addition, national and international security organizations must continue to combat the commercial trafficking operations and the money-laundering networks of large and sophisticated drug enterprises. The Colombian Government must commit itself to abiding by international treaties, programs, and decrees. From the criminal side of operations, both the Government and security force must first eliminate the inner corruption that prevents them from combating the criminal networks. The primary weapon against crime must be the reclaiming of the legitimacy of the State. Tougher legislation will be required to condemn and punish those involved in criminal activities. In addition, continued support must be given to the enforcement of extradition laws, and the punishment of tax evasion and money-laundering crimes should be priorities on the Government's agenda. 15 notes and 13 references