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Democracy and social justice in the world.

Although we are only getting started, we aim to progressively extend our coverage of countries around the world.

  Colombia

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Colombia, a country of vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, is also a nation grappling with the complex legacies of a long and often violent history. While it has made significant strides in strengthening its democracy, the challenges surrounding justice and equality remain considerable.

Colombia's democratic framework, built upon a constitutionally defined multi-party system, has seen periods of both progress and strain. The country has successfully transitioned from armed conflict toward peace negotiations, expanding opportunities for political participation. Elections are held regularly, and freedom of speech, while often under threat, is generally upheld.

However, the roots of Colombia’s internal conflict continue to cast a shadow. The justice system faces immense challenges in addressing past human rights abuses, impunity for criminal actors, and inequalities that pervade many sectors of society. While there have been notable steps toward reconciliation and truth-telling, the pursuit of accountability for perpetrators of violence and displacement remains incomplete.

Furthermore, the rise of organized crime, including drug trafficking and illegal mining, poses significant threats to democratic institutions and the rule of law. Corruption remains a pervasive issue, eroding public trust and hindering effective governance. Indigenous communities, Afro-Colombian populations, and rural areas often experience systemic discrimination and limited access to justice.

Despite these challenges, Colombia also demonstrates remarkable resilience. Civil society organizations are actively working to promote human rights, advocate for marginalized groups, and monitor the justice system. The country is actively engaging in ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and address long-standing inequalities.

The situation in Colombia underscores a crucial reality: democracy is not simply a matter of holding elections. It also requires a robust, independent, and equitable justice system capable of protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their background or social standing. As Colombia continues on its path, progress towards durable peace and inclusive justice will be crucial to the future of its democracy.

As of September 2021, 611 environmental defenders had already been assassinated in Colombia since the signing of the 2016 Peace Deal, according to the Colombian Institute of Studies for Development and Peace (Indepaz). Of those 611 people, 332 were Indigenous.

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Colombia — Democracy Index (2022)
6.72
Full democracyFlawed democracyHybrid regimeAuthoritarian regime
Colombia — Press Freedom Index (2022)
42.43
GoodSatisfactoryProblematicDifficultVery Serious

Freedom House: country profile for Colombia

Colombia is among the longest-standing democracies in Latin America, but one with a history of widespread violence and serious human rights abuses. Public institutions have demonstrated the capacity to check executive power, and the country’s main left-wing guerrilla group signed a peace accord in 2016. Nonetheless, Colombia faces enormous challenges in consolidating peace and guaranteeing political rights and civil liberties outside of major urban areas. In June 2022, opposition candidate and former left-wing guerrilla member Gustavo Petro was elected to the presidency and formed a government comprised of a broad left-wing coalition, becoming Colombia’s first leftist government since the reestablishment of competitive democracy.
Colombia — Freedom House Global freedom index (2023)
70
FreePartly FreeNot Free

Freedom House: internet freedom in Colombia

Internet freedom in Colombia declined for the fifth consecutive year. Journalists faced an escalation in sometimes deadly violence in suspected retaliation for their online reporting; widespread disinformation impacted online debate ahead of the 2022 presidential elections; and the government launched a campaign to monitor social media and shape online narratives around nationwide protests held in 2021. Moreover, during the coverage period, service providers blocked at least one website. Despite these challenges, the judiciary issued multiple rulings in favor of free expression and access to information online, including against the disproportionate removal of content and striking down a reform to the electoral code that threatened citizens’ political expression over social media.
Colombia — Freedom House Internet freedom index (2022)
64
FreePartly FreeNot Free

Colombia

The Republic of Colombia is a country mostly in South America with insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuela to the east and northeast, Brazil to the southeast, Ecuador and Peru to the south and southwest, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Panama to the northwest.

Crime in Colombia

Colombia has a high crime rate due to being a center for the cultivation and trafficking of cocaine.

Freedom of religion in Colombia

Freedom of religion in Colombia is enforced by the State and well tolerated in the Colombian culture.

Colombian conflict

The Colombian conflict began in the mid-1960s and is a low-intensity asymmetric war between Colombian governments, paramilitary groups, crime syndicates, and left-wing guerrillas such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the National Liberation Army (ELN), fighting each other to increase their influence in Colombian territory. Two of the most important international actors that have contributed to the Colombian conflict are multinational companies and the United States.

Colombian peace process

The Colombian peace process is the peace process between the Colombian government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC–EP) to bring an end to the Colombian conflict, which eventually led to the Peace Agreements between the Colombian Government of Juan Manuel Santos and FARC-EP.

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