De las armas a la desmovilización el poder paramilitar en colombia

Abstract

This paper analyzes the co-optation to local government by the paramilitary armed groups in Colombia from the government presided over by Belisario Betancur (1980-1984) to the presidency of Álvaro Uribe (2002-2006). This research analyzes how these paramilitary groups succeeded in establishing their power in the Colombian local government and its consolidation as the major actor in certain departments. We study the issue from a historical perspective and turning to the sociological discipline. We propose a theoretical framework which describes and analyzes the political opportunities and constraints for those armed actors to carry out the mobilization, development and consolidation of their activities within an action framework characterized by the existence of an internal armed conflict.