CHAPTER FOUR
MEASURES ADOPTED TO COMBAT TERRORISM ACTIVITIES
4.0 Introduction
The increased terrorism activities in Colombia have negatively impacted the Colombia system in general. To combat these activities, the Colombian government has set out reforms and measures in different sectors to curb terrorism. By collaborating with foreign actors such as the USA, Colombia has made changes in its political, legal, economic, and social sectors. This Chapter discusses the measures adopted by the Colombian government to combat terrorism activities.
4.1 Political and Legal System Change
Since guerilla warfare and narcoterrorism alt in the government sectors, the Colombian government has changed. The country has implemented formal and informal policies to develop the country from a free state from a terror attack and corruption. It has taken decades for these reforms to take shape. The government’s need for change in the constitution is needed, and the form should be changed and amendments to be done in order to cater to human rights and protect the human rights act. During the time of wars and terrorism acts, there was a collaboration among the government officials and terrorist who The process of transition from the old system to the new one was funded and supported by the United States Government (USG) through the Department of Justice and with the funds allocated to Colombia every year within the context of Plan Colombia led to much human rights violations which were stopped by the new governance system In the last four years, the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia has received over 150 million U.S. dollars and technical support and assistance (U.S. Office on Colombia, 2014), which worked together with the USA to investigate criminal acts and derive solutions.
The funds allocated and the deal struck by the two countries were tremendous since it targeted to boost Colombia judicial sector where the government wouldn’t rest till all vices are dealt with, and no stone was left unturned during that time concerning matters to do with terrorism. The political and judicial change has led to a reduction in drug trafficking and terrorism as the new law, and the new leaders plus private USA government hired to solve the matter dug into the matter. Some corrupt leaders stepped down, and others were arrested and jailed, depending on the crime committed With the help of the USA, Colombia was able to stabilize its governance, and through collaborating and its neighboring country, it managed to capture drug lord Pablo Escobar and Elchapo Guzman, who were at the moment notorious and had taken over the country and corrupt the system of governance for them to carry out the malicious act.
Since the capturing of drug loads and getting rid of ineffective leaders and corrupt individuals in the system, Colombia has managed to regain its power in ruling the people in charge in government posts have much easier work to do.
Political change in Colombia, which has been engineered by the USA, has brought a fruitful effort to the Colombia government. Reform and political assistance globally have transformed Colombia much.
4.2 Socio-Economical Improvement
Restripe Article states that the USA and Colombia support each other from political to global partners security, the last 15 years Colombia has done very well in its GDP, and the general situation has improved, the two actors in the region have set a conducive environment to be productive, or rather the continent growing 377 billion to making Colombia the 3rd top country in Latin America economy discouraging drug trafficking in Colombia has resulted in a reduction in the poverty level. More money is supplied to the economy rather than being laundered by corrupt leaders and drug lords. More money in economy supply has enabled people to start up business and be creative and innovative to earn a living, hence raising people’s living standards in Colombia. Since the time of war, it has set a record up to 2014 81% freed from poverty.
Economic reforms such as easy loans and relief taxation have encouraged more investors to conduct business. Any business thrives in a politically stable state; many investors have been encouraged due to peace and security in the country. Colombian banks and financial institutions offer loans and support to the people business. There has been a reduction in the country’s brain drain since it’s stable, and no one needs to go and work or make a living from abroad. The introduction of trade unions has led to a reduction in corruption in Colombia as the country is being supported by more actors to stabilize and thrive in business. Socially there has been a reduction of terrorism activity and the bombing of places of interaction such as schools and churches, and also there have been peace and security reduction cases of rape and kidnapping among others.
Different treaty signed by the Colombia state and other bodies such as U.N., UCHR, WHO, among others, highly protects Colombia’s economy as it has introduced the collective responsibility principle. States can watch each other’s back and support each other financially. Trade treaties signed by Colombia and china allow Colombians to import and export their goods a d conduct business peacefully without fear of interference by terrorism. Colombia is rich in natural resources, and it is known for its people to be creative and inventive. All this can be done through the government encouraging starting up projects such as improving road and communication system, modify their education system to skill-based so that the natural resources of Colombia can be maximally utilizedEmployment of new technology in the agricultural sector will increase the yield and boost the economy and preoccupy people min in a constructive and productive way as stated by the OCHR in 2008 during the congress meeting of mostly affected country by terrorism in the continent.
4.3 Professionalization of Police Departments in Colombia
A lot need to change in police force. Change in perception of police thinking during the time of guerilla warfare which was engineered mostly by FARC and ELN. That caused fear in pain and suffering for people of Colombia and a lot of amendments in the Colombian constitution to be done to get rid of terrorist and drug loads in the police defense forces who were using their title as police to commit murder or being bribed compromised by drug traffickers.
The president of Colombia Álvaro Uribe has tremendously transformed Colombia by collaborating with the United States of America president Donald trump who supported them financially assistance from ‘Plan Colombia’ and U.S. State Department aid programs. Uribe regime has managed to transform Colombia into a stable state and society where peace and harmony took shape.
Creation of more military schools that are equipped with expertise which greatly funded by the security boards of United States of America to enlighten police into better ideology and not let the police to dwell in corruption and bribery. These schools are built to enforce better law in the society and Colombians to enjoy freedom and protections from terrorism. Gone are the days that police officers were not allowed to wear motorbike helmets because it was estimated that many terrorist conducted their crimes openly in motorbikes, snatching of women hand bags, and plating of bombs and among others, there idea of professionalism in police force was to enlighten police to become better people in the society who are reliable.
Installation of CCTV camera all over and collaborating with the USA to monitor their country on set light. CCTV installation has led to much easier work as police force are able to monitor the city in case of suspicion they react professionalism all these modernization of system has made Colombia security system great. Tracking of phone call and CCTV on border points discourages drug traffickers to conduct their business. The judicial system has changed due to professionalization no stone is left unturned. Older cases are being followed among them being lost crime file that are able to be retrieved and charges to be done before the court. An increase in police salary has also reduced the case of corruption in Colombia. Through this reforms act of drug traffickers and government official who squanders public funds have been able to be arrested and charged. To date Colombia government is able to detect Hate speech in their website and narrow down to individual. Professionalization of police has come with many benefits as different police specialize in different sectors hence easy to detect or spot suspicion end act appropriately.
4.4 Nationalization
Colombia is working to combat terrorism in many ways one of them being monitoring potential terrorist and recognizing radicalization. Terrorist go through process of being brainwashed and believing in violence as the only solution, to believe in revenge and cause harm and pain to people. Mostly this radicalizations are done in social and interaction places such as schools, churches and mosque, U.N. report of 2007 stated that common radicalization are done in schools and mosques, a lot of youth are dragged to it due to desperation or unemployment frustration or countries that are in pain .Colombian government should collaborate with the teachers and religion leaders to give them information about the behavior of people in their places. Islamic terrorist use religion to recruit and fund other terrorist and its believed that there hiding places are in mosques and some of sheikh are behind it all, all this are in accordance with American and Iraq war documentary
Nationalization in a layman language means the internal security start with the citizen and citizen should be the whistle blower to the Colombian national government. Colombians should act as watchdogs and be the security of their state by reporting suspects or suspicion act to the authority. The Colombia air force now was able to watch and monitor its air space around the clock. The radar are in place to monitor any drug trafficking that might be taking place or rather unauthorized airplanes that can cause pain and harm to people of Colombia, there is a specialized team as set aside for that and now their also has been corporation with other countries such as united kingdom and united states of America. Special unit from the Colombian forces as stated in the national counterterrorism strategy in for 2016-2020 clearly outline the special training that special forces will under and some of the training are done in USA and U.K., the countries that had experience in curbing terrorism. Special unit of forces is helpful during crisis. This statement was deeply discussed by Israel special unit of counterterrorism act in in 2017.
The OSCE makes a comprehensive contribution to international efforts against terrorism led by the United Nations, addressing the manifestations of terrorism, as well as the various social, economic, political and other factors, which might engender conditions in which terrorist organizations could engage in recruitment and win support. Government of Colombia has now started tracking financial records and transfer of money from one point to another, and through vetting one accountable for his earning as its believed terrorist financially funds their counterparts. Financial records and money launder have been able to be recovered and individuals to be charged with respective offense. The special DSI is responsible for investigating arresting terrorist and going to an extent of eliminating some of them in worst case scenario.
4.5 Boundaries and Border Checkpoints
Managing a state is easy provided that you can monitor every movement of the people in and out of the Colombian country. The united states uses various tools to counter terrorism in the region such imposing sanctions, antiterrorism assistance and training in their camps and barracks, enforcing law cooperation on different sectors of the Colombian government mostly on human security, and through Colombian state collaborating with OAS, organization of America state. The Colombian border have been able to be managed since there have been sanctions to cooperate with USA to fight terrorism .
Venezuelan officials has been imposed by sanctions for gearing FARC and numerous individuals and companies which provided full or partial support to Hezbollah. Former president Obama of USA had n aim of pulling down terrorism. There was advanced technological advancement in the continent, he invested so much in updated technology in security sector and he was the first person to bring down Osama Bin Laden who had several times bombed USA embassy in different countries. Through boundary and border checkpoints collaboration the set light managed to track him and location that he was. The same case in Africa Gadhafi was shot dead by the help of USA counterterrorism movements. Proper checking and scrutiny of cargoes and documents at each point which regulate circulation of weapons and armory to the country. Use of detectors vices that screen vehicle going out and coming. Through Colombian collaborating with rest of the world many airport and checkpoints of money countries are cautious and there is a lot of screening in airport, validation of passports and visa and combat terrorism.in deed there has been a progress since towards the frontier in regulatory practice since the year2005 than any other Latin America country. Restriction on border security discouraged a lot of drug traffickers and the new policies in town needed a lot of proper documentation to travel or come in the country. These discouraged a lot of drug loads such as Escobar and El Chapo Guzman being the notorious one. Sanctions and restriction in boundaries within Colombia discouraged drug trafficking, highest number of drug peddlers were caught and jailed narrowing down to their kingpin. Properties that were acquired wrongfully by drug trafficking were frozen and armory recovered from them were destroyed by authority. Killings, kidnapping and torture of human life reached to an end because the penalty for terrorism were harsh and taken seriously compared to others. OHCHR is examining the question of protecting human rights while countering terrorism by making general recommendations on States’ human rights obligations and providing them with assistance and advice, upon their request. Colombia also corporate with ICTC, OAS and its main objective goals is to eradicate and counter terrorism activity in all members’ state. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) agreed, in addition to the initial 40 recommendations to combat money laundering, on nine special recommendations to prevent the financing of terrorism. The FATF draws up reports and makes evaluations on compliance with the recommendations in force and establishes a system of sanctions. It also provides technical assistance for the creation of Financial Intelligence Units to enable these recommendations to be applied in each jurisdiction
4.6 Conclusion
In conclusion, through collaborations of different actor, Colombian government has achieved a lot. The threat of Colombia being under siege and lots of human suffering and insecurity has abundantly reduced. Political instability has been resolved through changing the system of judicial in Colombia with a great support from United States of America. There is also reduction of money laundering activities through financial records system of individual hence eradicating the rate of drug trafficking allowing more money to be supplied in the economy. Also professionalization of forces has managed to take down terrorist and drug trafficker. Furthermore, Colombia government has beefed up measured through screening at border and boundaries check point, installation of CCTV to track terrorist or drug traffickers these has regulated circulation of drugs and terrorists from going in and out of Colombia. Nationalization has helped stop radicalization, empowering human rights on the constitution and citizens reporting to the authorities suspected groups of militants.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction
This Chapter presents the summary of the findings, conclusion and recommendations of this research. The discussions on these topics are presented in the subsequent sections of the Chapter.
5.1 Summary of findings
Based on objective one of this study which was to investigate the factors contributing to the spread of terrorism activities in Colombia, this study has established that globalization is the key factor that support emergence of other factors such as technology development, international trade, criminal networks etc. These factors forces Colombia authority to sacrifice communitarian interests and focused with politico-economic interests that aims to enhance state power. Therefore, terrorism activities present opportunity to Colombia government to enhance state power at regional and international systems however, it creates insecurity conditions internally and also externally thus, prompt other states in regional system to experience terrorism effects. Furthermore, existence and enforcement of Colombia govern mentality enables factors to withstand traditional combating strategies with enhanced frustration and anger within population mindset therefore, it create demand for practice of terrorism thus, violent conflict are erupting and persisting threatening nature of peace and stability in Colombia.
Based on objective two of this study which was to investigate the effects of terrorism activities towards Colombia security, this study has established that violation of human right is the gateway to eruption of other effects such as corruption, obstruction of social service delivery, economic cost, ineffective legal frameworks etc. Violation of rights is attributed by inequalities and injustices promoted by Colombia state and non-state actors thus, power maximization trend emerges where practice of terrorism offer equal fighting opportunity. Intense violation rebuilds frustration, anger and dissatisfaction with governing forces resulting to other effects empowered to sustain such as high economic cost, inefficient legal frameworks thus, violent conflict emerges and erupts affecting the interaction and cooperative patterns, properties are looted, burned and destroyed, and governing agencies becomes inferior to avail services. As a result, the Colombia security conditions become weak in nature due to insecurity conditions and rate of interdependence is much high due to effects persistence and influence in Colombia environments.
Based on objective three of this study which was to investigate the strategies adopted of combating terrorism activities in Colombia, this study has established that threat of terrorism is transnational in nature operating across from one environment to another due to inferior regulating and protectionism mechanism present. However, Colombia has improved its awareness of the threat and has sought to have collective actions formulated and implemented which will empower other domestic strategies with support, commitment and efficiency. Collective action adoption by Colombia facilitates the transfer of knowledge and expertise to other strategies such as border security, national actions plans, economic regulation etc. Therefore, capability and capacity of these strategies through collective actions become much effective and dependent resulting to decrease in intensity and magnitude of the terrorism activities threat and its effects in Colombia domestic environment as well as at regional system.
5.2 Conclusion of study
It is concluded that terrorism activities in Colombia is a threatening situation to the survivability and safety of state and human population due to the insecurity patterns associated with it when it manifest and prevail itself in the environment. Persistence of factors that enhance terrorism create power maximization opportunities thus, both state and non-state actors always seek these opportunities to enhance their influence and capabilities. Therefore, practice of terrorism level the field as individuals are able to demand through the power and the Colombia itself able to control the domestic realm as well as the regional system with its influence. Also, these factors forces Colombia to sacrifice communitarian interests and focus with politico-economic interests thus, frustration and anger is rebuild within the population thus, practice of terrorism activities intensify whereby, terrorism creates opportunities to have access and control of social services while for state, it will enhance its status quo and position at regional and international system thus, security dilemma able to emerge and insecurity conditions prevailing in Colombia environments.
Evaluating the effects of terrorism activities in Colombia, it is state and human centric in nature as its affect the capabilities to be safe and survive in insecure environment. Broaden of concept of security will assert that effects of terrorism activities will hinder the growth and development thus, rate of dependence be high and dissatisfaction with government intensify. Effects such as human right violation, corruption, obstruction of service delivery etc are interlock whereby, eruption of one present pathways for other to erupt thus, conflict behavior mature within the population and insecurity conditions erupts where, Colombia status quo and position decreases and achievement of fundamental needs and wants to enhance human safety and survival is threaten with insecurity conditions present by effects of terrorism activities in Colombia Environment.
Enhanced recognition by Colombia authority concerning threat of terrorism activities, it has sought to formulate and implement strategies to effectively combat terrorism thus, cooperative patterns and initiatives proposed and ratified. Such strategy is the collective action that call for collective actions channel by all actors either within or across thus, asserting that present of threat of terrorism is consider all actors threats therefore, collaborating will minimized insecurity condition. With collective actions, other strategies are able to harness the mutual cooperative patterns thus, influencing the success rate of these strategies thus, nature of peace and stability strengthen to withstand in Colombia and Latin America environment. Moreover, these strategies must be state and human centric in nature to allow room with flexibility with effects developing thus, mitigate it fully and whole depending on it level whether be it at national or human level within Colombia context.
5.3 Recommendations
The study recommends there is need for local strategic partnership between the different generational local communities and government security force to developed and anchored mutual relationship and understanding of the threat of terrorism activities in order to sustain peace and stability. Interaction of security forces and communities of individuals should apply cross-generational approaches through the intergenerational meeting and forums held to explain the progress of collaborative strategies to combat the threat. The sole objective of partnership to decrease rate of terrorism activities will be achieved by these strategic partnerships in the process to sustenance of peace and stability thus, opportunities of growth and development erupt and experienced in the Colombia and Latin America context.
The study recommends there is need for National strategic partnership position to employ public participation approaches and frameworks to improve the interaction with general population thus, rebuild confidence among individuals thus, accept the community love and abandonment of evil ideologies that promote insecurity conditions through proliferating terrorism activities.
Furthermore, Colombia national programs will need to interact extensively with other governance sectors in order to enhance their efficient. For instance, interaction of enforcing agencies of strategies with financial ministry is relative important whereby, progress in combating terrorism threat is identified to be important agenda as it sustain nature of peace and security in domestic realm of Colombia thus, satisfying and impressing the ministry with its actions of progress resulting to financial ministry conducting intense investment and allocation of resources to combating pathways thus, combating strategies are effectively empowered to decreases and minimized the rate, magnitude and intensity of terrorism threat due to national strategic partnership of cooperation with other government sectors.
The study recommends the need for Security dialogue and conflict management. This is because sustenance of threat of terrorism activities in Colombia that target the security of states has affected the interaction, safety and survivability of individuals and state due to inferior capacity to developed new strategies able to infuse themselves with the threat to become efficient and sufficient in empowering the nature of peace and stability. Colombia seem to be adopting new contemporary strategy of non-military in nature thus, negotiation and mediation channels are available and promoted resulting to peace and security strengthen while also, the security governance of Colombia able to be empowered to withstand another wave of terrorism activities threat towards the state national security as well as for the regional and international systems respectively.
The study also recommends the need for awareness creation. This is because information concerning the threat of terrorism activities is less available to the public domain thus, existence of threat is unknown while it progress itself further to affect the environment. The Colombia government has been informed to take the initiative to conduct public awareness campaigns through mostly the Civic educational program. Through awareness creation, the close proximity of government and public will be enhanced and exchange of information pertain terrorism will be easily be collected, evaluated and analyzed by security agencies thus, the threats contained in its early phase of development thus, insecurity conditions eliminated while nature of peace and security promoted, protected and empowered in Colombia and Latin America.
5.4 Areas of Future Research
Future researchers should consider further research on terrorism in Colombia and Latin America at large. This is because terrorism in Latin America especially in Colombia comes in different form because of many issues and other agents of terrorism. The topic of terrorism especially narcoterrorism is an area rich with research potential and there is need for more research to be done.