Colombia shifts public order strategy toward military deterrence

Colombia is undergoing a significant shift in its public order doctrine. Under the government of Abelardo de la Espriella, the previous strategy of ‘Paz Total’ (Total Peace) through simultaneous dialogues is being replaced by a strategy centered on military deterrence, punitive territorial control, and strict application of criminal law.

This policy shift follows public demand for improved security. Recent events in Santa Marta highlight the tension; the neutralization of leaders from the Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra Nevada led to violent retaliation, necessitating the immediate militarization of the city. While the rapid deployment of security forces has provided short-term stability and protected economic corridors, the long-term challenge remains transitioning from emergency military presence to a sustainable state of security where illegal economies and extortion are effectively neutralized.