Para-states in Colombia. Concerning a culminated investigation

Abstract

This article attempts to provide an overview of “A para-state in Colombia”, a research conducted by the Sociology and Political Science department, at the University of Granada, Spain. This paper makes a theoretical bet to clearly define the term para-state, already used by other theorists and researchers, but not much developed in academic arenas. In order to do this, the term relates to the shock drive armed groups in Colombia have turned into —specifically guerrilla, represented by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia —FARC—, and —ELN— National Liberation Army. Similar to paramilitaries, those forces are crossed by drug trafficking. The label parallel State or para-state means they are groups who have managed to consolidate such a significant economic, political and social power that they have a nearly absolute control on a large part of the territory, and they impose their laws and regulations in that territory, as any Government would do. Research focused, then, on theoretically clarifying both concepts as well as the impact that have on Colombian conflict.