The Regional and Global Impact of the Peace Process in Colombia
For many years there have been many attempts to bring peace to history armed conflict in Colombia. Probably, during President Andrés Pastrana's term, the nation came close to reaching that historic milestone. However, I believe that vision failed because there was no business continuity, in the perspective that the process needs to be handled by a supra political organization, not necessarily international. When I say supra political, I mean gathering all political forces beyond the organized existing parties, and the opposition, either organized or not. The fact that the presidential term in Colombia is only four years is a significant factor if every president has a new vision.
I believe that President Juan Manuel Santos is doing a great job and Colombians, and internationl observers, expect the best from the peace process. While there is a need for overall will to make and keep peace, it is important to preserve life, and end violence. The will to attain a peaceful and civilized society that generates culture rather than violence, where the youth raises their educational level and carries books instead of weapons is a milestone that not only Colombia but the entire Latin America needs to focus on. I believe that a general change of attitude is and has been a good starting point, but also the feeling of oppression is the counterpart for many of those who have little hope for a career, and the opportunity to life a peaceful life. This is why I see that what missed in President Pastrana's model was the need for further vision. So, I think that the armed conflict should not only include demilitarized zones but a perspective and a plan for economic growth, and obviously the integration of rebels to the civil nation voluntarily and peacefully. Since the conflict involves a great deal of political ideology and other relevant factors, the perspective of the demilitarized zone is that of officially opening a new community. In several countries worldwide, there are sub nations such as aborigines and reserve nations in the United States. During my MBA days, I started my first attempt to the International Business class with Prof. Rodríguez at Montclair State University, but after a few weeks I as disappointed about the fact that the class is based on the Indian communities in the USA only as an entire nation, which to me did not seem to be "international business". So I actually took the class at a later time with another professor, but the weeks I was in that class inspire me to believe that a similar process could bring peace to Colombia, and that guerrillas like FARC, ELN, and others can be converted into political parties and actually found cities and formal political divisions in those territories. Similarly, the economy of that new nation can create their own world with their own political representation once they are ready to deliver the weapons and live in the civilized world.
The positive impact to the region would be enormous. The economic diversification of Colombia could allow the full exploration, and research and development of agriculture, cattle, and mine industries, among others; and a variety of underdeveloped transportation models could be created. I believe in the full reappearance of the national railroad company, and its integration my dream for the Americas, that some day one can travel by developed highways or a railroad system to joins South America from Patagonia to Alaska, and that no one has to bother about the guerrillas in South America, or the gangs in Central America, or other disturbing communities in its path, just the way it happens Western and Eastern Europe. Also, the transportation through Colombian rivers, and the on-going development of channels to join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans will have an accelerated development.
This peace process will greatly united the South Americans and secure the tourism of the nation with the many unexplored regions full of wealth and beauty, as well as those historically given for granted. It can also enhance the oil and coal industries for both domestic consumption and exportation, when appropriate.
Finally, Colombia would become another economic leader in the region, with further integration with Brasil, and the original Great Colombia nations. Then, Colombia could be a much better role player with North America, as well as other emerging economies in the world, with well calculated protectionist laws in place.
