Colombia, the Drug Wars and the Politics of Drug Policy Displacement – from La Violencia to UNGASS 2016. Issue 2 (23rd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collins, John; Alarcón, Karen Torres
• Is Part Of: Journal of illicit economies and development. Volume 3:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 190
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2021-11-23
• Subjects: Colombia -- War on Drugs -- United States of America -- FARC -- Plan Colombia -- Prohibition -- Cocaine -- Coca -- Marijuana -- Cannabis -- United Nations -- UNODC -- UNGASS -- Drug Trafficking -- Drug Policy; Informal sector (Economics) -- Periodicals; Black market -- Periodicals; Corruption -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Periodicals; 338.9
• DOI: 10.31389/jied.93
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-7227

Abstract

This article breaks new conceptual ground by questioning orthodox interpretations of nation state agency in the global drug wars. Specifically, it challenges the David vs. Goliath conception of Colombia as a passive, client state simply abiding to the United States' hegemonic war on drugs. It provides the first published analysis of Colombia's leadership during the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) in 2016. It argues that the UN served as a useful forum for Colombia's displacement of state building dilemmas, including drug control, and that Bogota utilised the UN as a proxy negotiating mechanism with the US and other international donors.