Less visible than the scenes of war unfolding across parts of the Middle East, Africa and headlines about the refugee crisis, is a long-running conflict that continues to afflict remote corners of South America.
Colombia’s war against guerrilla insurgents may not draw the same attention from abroad as it did in previous decades when heavy fighting led the country to the brink of becoming a failed state. Despite a political and economic revival during the past 10 years, the seeds of domestic conflict are still simmering. They continue to erupt in flashes of fighting that upend the local communities caught in its crossfire.
For millions of Colombians who have yet to reap the benefits of inclusive economic growth, the ongoing conflict poses a major dilemma to their livelihoods. New ventures deploying evolving development strategies have emerged to bridge the gap with the backing of the private sector. But they are still slow to scale, reflecting the limitations of investment in markets weighed down by conflict-related risks.
About the author
Naki B. Mendozamfbmendoza
Naki is a former reporter, he covered the intersection of business and international development. Prior to Devex he was a Latin America reporter for Energy Intelligence covering corporate investments and political risks in the region’s energy sector. His previous assignments abroad have posted him throughout Europe, South America, and Australia.