Ex-combatants and violence in Colombia: are yesterday's villains today's principal threat?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nussio, Enzo
• Is Part Of: Third world thematics. Volume 3:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Colombia -- crime -- violence -- post-conflict -- DDR -- reintegration; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23802014.2018.1396911
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9978

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Ex-combatants are generally portrayed as a security threat. I present evidence that puts the ex-combatant threat perception in perspective for the case of Colombia. In-depth interviews and surveys show that ex-combatants are not destined for a life of violence, as they become less interested in risky activities over time. Also, even though former mid-ranked commanders have led criminal follower organisations of demobilised paramilitary groups, rank-and-file ex-combatants have been replaced with a new generation of recruits. According to crime statistics, participation of ex-combatants in violence is too small to unsettle overall criminal dynamics. Still, ex-combatants continue to receive a lot of attention in post-demobilisation settings, perhaps inhibiting more targeted attention for other populations with high damage potential and broader structural policies.