Colombia: Can the military bring peace?

In light of the death of the commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), Kristian Herbolzheimer of Conciliation Resources analyses past and future prospects for peace in the country.

The article explains that former governments have missed opportunities to achieve peace by, for example, not addressing rebel grievances.  Meanwhile Farc failed to develop a capacity for dialogue.  The resulting human costs have been high and the situation has not been helped by corruption in democratic institutions. 

However, present approaches to negotiations by President Juan Manuel Santos are encouraging and the author makes suggestions on how sustainable peace might now be achieved.