Capítulo 7: Hallazgos y recomendaciones.

Understanding the Impact of Armed Conflict in Colombia

The Role of Paramilitaries and Community Perception

• The paramilitaries developed a strong animosity towards San Pedro Urabá, associating its residents with their armed group due to the presence of weapons.

• Residents faced accusations of being paramilitaries simply for being from San Pedro, leading to widespread fear and violence against them.

• Personal accounts reveal that many individuals, including family members, were killed by guerrilla groups like FARC for their association with San Pedro.

Investigative Approaches to Understanding the Conflict

• An inductive method was adopted for investigation, focusing on open listening and observation to analyze the conflict's complexities.

• Early findings indicated that the Colombian armed conflict is not merely a struggle between armed factions but involves intricate alliances and responsibilities across various sectors.

Findings from the Truth Commission

• The Truth Commission's report highlights that accountability extends beyond those who wielded weapons; it implicates political, economic, and social actors as well.

• Eleven key themes were investigated by the commission, reflecting systemic issues within Colombia’s internal conflict dynamics.

Historical Atrocities and Their Legacy

• Accounts describe horrific practices where victims' bodies were disposed of in rivers as a means to instill fear within communities.

• Initially, community members attempted to recover bodies but eventually ceased due to threats associated with retrieving them.

Recommendations for Peacebuilding

• The second part of the commission's report offers recommendations aimed at fostering peace and improving societal conditions based on community voices.