Colombia's developmental and socioecological trajectory and the mounting risks associated with the 2016 Havana Accord

Abstract

In light of the Peace Accord between the Colombian government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) in 2016, the chapter scrutinises present-day dilemmas and obstacles to a sustainable settlement capable of addressing the long-term developmental inequities of Colombia. It is expected that as Colombia becomes more integrated in the globalised economy, the many parties involved in the conflict will increasingly realise that they have more to gain with peace than otherwise and that this will pave the way to a renewed effort towards peace. Yet despite its many promises, as of now, the peace negotiations have primarily served as a means of potentially boosting the economy and facilitating access to leading business groups and foreign investors to Colombian resources rather than as a transformative move towards much-needed political and economic inclusivity. In fact, disturbing continuities between the inequalities that deepened during the protracted civil war and elements of peace agreement have been increasingly noticeable since 2016.