CIP Report: Stabilization and Development: Lessons of Colombia's "Consolidation" Model

04/14/11
Abigail Poe
Latin America and the Caribbean
U.S. Policy, Counterinsurgency

The Center for International Policy's Latin America Security program is pleased to share its new report "Stabilization and Development: Lessons of Colombia's 'Consolidation' Model." This new International Policy Report summarizes the discussion that took place at the December 2010 conference co-hosted by the Center for International Policy and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

At the event, Colombian specialists, non-governmental leaders, policymakers and military and civilian practitioners concerned with peace-building and stabilization in other contexts came together to evaluate Colombia's efforts to establish a state presence in ungoverned areas amid an internal conflict, and the lessons this may hold for similar efforts elsewhere in the world. In our view, Colombia offers not a model to be copied in countries such as Afghanistan, but a series of lessons for policymakers and practitioners working in other parts of the world.

"Stabilization and Development" explains Colombia's "Consolidation" model and outlines the past successes and future challenges of the Consolidation program. While some aspects of this experience seem to be working well, other aspects pose risks that threaten the success of the entire Consolidation effort. As detailed in the report, future challenges to guarantee the success of the ongoing program include:

  • Taking into consideration each zone's historical nuances;
  • Minimizing the role of the military;
  • Strengthening justice and the rule of law;
  • Improving land policy;
  • Developing sustainable projects and livelihoods; and
  • Working with corrupt local officials.

The December conference, and subsequent report, is a continuation of CIP's work on the Consolidation, or "Integrated Action," effort now being pursued in Colombia and supported in part by the United States. In November 2009, following months of research and visits to two areas where the Consolidation programs were already underway, CIP published "After Plan Colombia: Evaluating 'Integrated Action,' the next phase of U.S. assistance," (HTML | PDF) which explains how the U.S. and Colombia governments arrived at this model, explores its design and narrates our field visits to two Consolidation zones, La Macarena and Montes de María.

CIP's Latin America Security program continues its work to provide oversight and evaluation of the Consolidation program in 2011, in collaboration with the Washington Office on Latin America, INDEPAZ and Asociación Minga.