Colombia Truth Commission presents final report on civil conflict
Al JazeeraNov 24, 2022
Colombia Truth Commission: 450K Killed in Civil War
Image copyright: Reuters [via The Washington Post]
The Facts
On Tues., the Colombian government-appointed truth commission released its report on the country's civil war that lasted more than a half-century. The internal conflict cost billions to American taxpayers and allegedly killed at least 450K people.
The non-binding report gives a fiery review of Colombia's joint war on drugs with the US, deeming it "ineffective in preventing consumption" and claiming it prolonged the conflict. It has also called for an overhaul in the Colombian defense forces and anti-drug policies.
The Spin
Narrative A
This report is crucial to the Colombian peace process as it gives a neutral analysis of the conflict. It will bring justice to the victims of the war while providing recommendations to build sustainable peace in the nation.
Narrative B
This is a biased report that failed to analyze the guerrillas' responsibilities and their relations with foreign powers. The so-called truth commission made this clear by taking political advantage of its position to support Petro's election.