Date of Graduation

Spring 5-19-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

International Studies

First Advisor

Ilaria Giglioli

Second Advisor

Olivier Bercault

Abstract

Internal Displacement has become one modern day’s humanitarian crisis. The number of internally displaced persons have increased to alarming numbers in different corners of the globe. Colombia has been one of the center points of internal displacement in contemporary history. IDPs fled violence that is sourced in armed conflict mainly from the guerrilla group known as the FARC, as well as climate induced displacement in rural areas, leaving behind their homes and main source of livelihood. Victims of displacement endure a lengthy resettlement process and IDPs become marginalized in resettlement. Due to the severity of internal displacement, as a country Colombia has established laws to extend protection to the masses of Internally displaced persons and to mobilize a possible solution to the crisis, such as Law 387 of 1997 and Law 1448 of 2011. With the international community witnessing the increased forced displacement and the number of deaths, peace negotiations began and culminated with the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC. By this time loss had become a part of life for many IDPs. The issue had been continuous under three presidencies over twenty years. Through an qualitative analysis of the former presidents and their political discourses during this timeframe. This thesis examines how the voices of these political figures have influenced the journeys of IDPs and their intended return to their home in the rural areas of the country. State power is limited in rural areas and in it is in these same spaces that security and peace is not guaranteed for IDPs. A power vacuum allows for violence to continue even when peace has been negotiated. Thus, preventing most IDPs from taking the journey back.

Supplemental Files
Capstone_Ramirez.pdf (897 kB)
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