How did Colombia defeat the FARC—and what can other democracies learn from its experience?

In Part 2 of my conversation with General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, we continue our examination of counterinsurgency, national resilience and the long campaign that transformed Colombia’s security environment.

We begin with Colombia’s enduring urban-rural divide, and the way geography, uneven development and weak state presence helped shape decades of internal conflict. General Mejía then explains how the Colombian state adapted its military, political and institutional approach to weaken and ultimately defeat the FARC as a strategic force.

Our discussion also covers:

• The historical development of Colombia
• The military and political campaign against the FARC
• The continuing threat posed by the ELN
• Venezuela’s support for armed groups
• Security along the Colombia-Venezuela border
• Regional security cooperation in Latin America
• The credibility of US defence of the Western Hemisphere
• The democratisation of drone warfare after Ukraine
• How General Mejía would prepare the Colombian military today
• America’s difficult relationship with counterinsurgency warfare
• The impact of Venezuelan refugees on Colombia

This is not simply a discussion about Colombia. It is a wider examination of how democracies confront insurgency, restore state authority and convert battlefield success into lasting strategic outcomes.

Show Notes:

About General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero is a retired Colombian Army officer who served as Commander of the Colombian Army and later as General Commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces. During his military career, he held senior operational and strategic appointments during Colombia’s campaign against the FARC and other illegal armed groups. Following his retirement from military service, he served as Colombia’s Ambassador to Australia. His career provides a rare perspective on counterinsurgency, military transformation, strategic leadership, civil-military relations and the changing security environment of Latin America.

Glossary:

ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) in English - the National Liberation Army

How did Colombia defeat the FARC&mdash;and what can other democracies learn from its experience?
In Part 2 of my conversation with General Alberto Jos&eacute; Mej&iacute;a Ferrero, former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, we continue our examination of counterinsurgency, national resilience and the long campaign that transformed Colombia&rsquo;s security environment.
We begin with Colombia&rsquo;s enduring urban-rural divide, and the way geography, uneven development and weak state presence helped shape decades of internal conflict. General Mej&iacute;a then explains how the Colombian state adapted its military, political and institutional approach to weaken and ultimately defeat the FARC as a strategic force.
Our discussion also covers:
&bull; The historical development of Colombia &bull; The military and political campaign against the FARC &bull; The continuing threat posed by the ELN &bull; Venezuela&rsquo;s support for armed groups &bull; Security along the Colombia-Venezuela border &bull; Regional security cooperation in Latin America &bull; The credibility of US defence of the Western Hemisphere &bull; The democratisation of drone warfare after Ukraine &bull; How General Mej&iacute;a would prepare the Colombian military today &bull; America&rsquo;s difficult relationship with counterinsurgency warfare &bull; The impact of Venezuelan refugees on Colombia
This is not simply a discussion about Colombia. It is a wider examination of how democracies confront insurgency, restore state authority and convert battlefield success into lasting strategic outcomes.
Show Notes:
About General Alberto Jos&eacute; Mej&iacute;a Ferrero is a retired Colombian Army officer who served as Commander of the Colombian Army and later as General Commander of Colombia&rsquo;s Armed Forces. During his military career, he held senior operational and strategic appointments during Colombia&rsquo;s campaign against the FARC and other illegal armed groups. Following his retirement from military service, he served as Colombia&rsquo;s Ambassador to Australia. His career provides a rare perspective on counterinsurgency, military transformation, strategic leadership, civil-military relations and the changing security environment of Latin America.
Glossary:
ELN (Ej&eacute;rcito de Liberaci&oacute;n Nacional) in English - the National Liberation Army

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank.

Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.