ASSESSMENTS

Peace Loses Its Political Edge in Colombia

Aug 25, 2017 | 14:27 GMT

Few issues have influenced recent Colombian politics more than the government's peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Colombia's economic and immigration challenges likely will change the political dynamic created by the government's peace agreement with FARC.

(LUIS ECHEVERRI URREA/Shutterstock)

Highlights

  • Colombia's economic slowdown and a massive influx of migrants from neighboring Venezuela are likely to dominate the country's presidential campaign next year.
  • Venezuelan migrants flowing into Colombia will stoke social tension, particularly if they compete for scarce jobs with Colombians in some parts of the country.
  • Colombia's economic and immigration challenges may open the door to power for new political forces in the 2018 election.

Few issues have influenced recent Colombian politics more than the government's peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The agreement the government signed last year with FARC remains controversial and has split the country politically between those who supported President Juan Manuel Santos' peace efforts and those led by former President Alvaro Uribe, who opposed some aspects of the peace accord. But new issues have emerged as Colombians begin to look ahead to the country's presidential election in May 2018. A struggling economy burdened by falling commodity prices, deficits and low growth is combining with a massive influx of migrants from neighboring Venezuela to replace the peace deal as the dominant forces shaping next year's race....

Subscribe to view this article

Subscribe Now

Subscribe

Already have an account?