Assessing the Human Security Architecture of Demobilized Paramilitary Groups in Colombia

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 3, No. 1, January 2012 | pp. 108–116

DOI: 10.46882/2012/GJPCS/000036

Research Article

Assessing the Human Security Architecture of Demobilized Paramilitary Groups in Colombia

Carlos Restrepo-Mesa¹

¹Department of Political Science, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract: The fragmentation of illegal armed groups often generates complex residual security configurations that challenge national peace architectures. This study tracks the structural transformation of demobilized paramilitary networks into localized criminal enterprises in northern Colombia. Using event-based tracking models and survey registries involving 480 rural community members, we analyze how residual criminal activity affects local governance metrics. The statistical data demonstrates that municipalities with dense concentrations of unintegrated ex-combatants experienced an average 34% increase in extortion patterns targeting agricultural workers (p < 0.05). Time-series models confirm that a lack of local judicial enforcement capability increases individual vulnerability to forced recruitment by a factor of 2.1 ± 0.4. Quantitative findings show that community social capital index values dropped significantly to 2.4 ± 0.3 on a 5-point scale in highly affected sectors. The paper argues that state-level demobilization frameworks fail to preserve security unless accompanied by permanent institutional law enforcement presence and long-term agrarian credit extensions.

Keywords: human security, Colombia, paramilitary demobilization, criminal enterprises, event tracking, structural stability

Manuscript Timeline: Received September 02, 2011; Revised November 14, 2011; Accepted December 12, 2011; Published January 06, 2012.

Citation: Restrepo-Mesa, C. (2012). Assessing the Human Security Architecture of Demobilized Paramilitary Groups in Colombia. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 3(1), 108–116. DOI: 10.46882/2012/GJPCS/000036

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