Should Colombia’s Military Industry Grow in a Post-Conflict Scenario?
Should Colombia’s Military Industry Grow in a Post-Conflict Scenario?
posted by Diego Melo
Jan 21, 2014
Colombian Ministry of Defense told EFE at the end of 2013 that the Colombian military had received over 450 million dollars in revenue that year. Now that a peace agreement between the FARC and the government is on the horizon, the public ministry will need to brainstorm how to redirect those resources. In particular, if the deal is reached, it will significantly reduce the need for domestic use of military weapons. Under these circumstances, the Colombian armed forces have begun to anticipate future use for their military expertise, and ensure the continuation of this prosperous industry.
The armed forces are “ready to conquer new markets by selling innovative products” to the world, said vice minister of defense, José Javier Pérez. Colombia also “has a great participation in the military industries of Central America and the Caribbean through consultancies in aerial and naval interjections” while “África and South American regions have potential” for increased business.
These declarations signal a latent paradox: now that Colombia is a step away from signing a peace agreement, will the end of a domestic conflict contribute to armed conflicts abroad? Does ending a conflict in Colombia mean fueling military action in Central America, neighboring countries and conflict ridden African states? This article sheds some light on the logic of war and military expansion and traces a short history of Colombia’s military developments under US assistance. Using world literature and recent military reporting, I aim to challenge Colombia’s military future prospects.
The logic of war and the perpetuation of poverty
George Orwell’s 1984 is a classic work that explores the logic behind war, military expansion and social control. In this brilliant mid-20th century dystopian novel, Orwell provides a few key points to understand why internal peace may promote war abroad. Orwell explains that the end of war is to maintain a hierarchical society, through the perpetuation of poverty in some sectors of the population. The means to achieve such a goal is the state’s perpetual expansion of military capabilities.
More:
http://colombiareports.co/colombias-military-industry-grow-post-conflict-scenario/
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