The Flawed Strategy in Columbia

Abstract

Abstract : While the current global threat of terrorism is the nation's utmost priority, it is extremely important for the United States to review its policy towards supporting Plan Colombia and the Andean Regional Initiative. The United State's policy should reflect a better understanding of the true nature of the conflict in Colombia to include an increase of support for the Colombian government's counterinsurgent operations. The United States' exclusive concentration on counter drug operations has hindered the Colombian government from finding a long term solution to their internal problems. To dictate and maintain the peace from strength, the Colombian government must develop a counterinsurgent campaign that includes the coordinated use of the political, economic, social, and military elements of nation power. This campaign ought to consist of offensive actions to attack the insurgents' centers of gravity and expose their critical vulnerabilities. In order to support the campaign, the United States should provide the necessary Special Forces personnel to train the mobile counterinsurgent brigades and abandon the policy of supporting only counter drug operations. The United States and Colombia must capitalize on the unprecedented cooperation betweens nations in the war on terrorism to renew their efforts on maintaining the peace in Colombia.