The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC): Past, Present, Future

Abstract

In October 2016 the conflict in Colombia that had been lasting for more than 50 years and claimed the life of an estimated 200,000 citizens seemed to be arriving at its end. However, in a referendum held on 2 October, 50,2% of voters rejected the peace deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Although the peace deal has been ratified since then and its implementation has begun, the outcome of the referendum pointed out the complex nature of the challenge posed by FARC. To be able to adequately assess the durability of the current peace period in Colombia, this study seeks to provide an overview of the evolution and transformation of the organization with a particular focus on those factors and tendencies that significantly impact the current situation, while also presenting the challenges to the future of the peace deal.