| ID | 179834 |
| Title Proper | Rebels-Turned-Narcos? the FARC-EP’s Political Involvement in Colombia’s Cocaine Economy |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Gutiérrez D., José Antonio ; Thomson, Frances |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | According to the ‘rebels-turned-narcos’ premise, increasing involvement in the illicit drug industry causes insurgent groups to lose sight of their political aims, as they shift their focus to profit-making. The (former) Colombian rebel group, the FARC-EP, became a paragon for this idea. Drawing on primary research, we argue that the FARC-EP’s involvement in the illicit drug economy was itself political. Their involvement included governance activities, which are by their very nature political. Furthermore, these activities formed part of the FARC-EP’s political project, aimed at ensuring the reproduction of the peasant smallholder economy. Our argument challenges the rebels-turned-narcos premise more broadly by showing why involvement in the illicit drug economy, on its own, is insufficient evidence to posit the depoliticization of an insurgent group. |
| `In' analytical Note | Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Vol. 44, No.1-3; Jan-Mar 2021: p.26-51 |
| Journal Source | Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Vol: 44 No 1-3 |
| Key Words | Political Involvement ; FARC-EP ; Colombia’s Cocaine Economy |