Imperfect peace for forgiveness and reconciliation in Colombia

Abstract

This article is part of a research carried out in Colombia on the construction of imperfect peace in the context of the conflicts generated by kidnapping actions in two regions of the country. The research was based on the study of three cases of loss of freedom and was developed under a qualitative methodology and an epistemological and phenomenological approach. The main conclusion of this research was the possibility of building peace actions, even in adversity. The starting point is the theoretical and conclusion sections of the primary research and includes discussion on three central axes: First, the background and scope of the agreements signed between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas, as well as a quick overview of the ongoing dialogues between the government and the ELN guerrilla. Second, the article presents a theoretical and conceptual consideration of conflicts and peace from the perspective of imperfect peace. Finally, it explores the role of regulations and peaceful transformations in the construction of forgiveness and reconciliation, as conditions for the building of stable and lasting peace.