The Colombian Civil War

by Bert Ruiz

In 2000, the National Police of Colombia reported that 25,660 people met violent deaths in that country. According to the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, 170 civilians were killed in the first 18 days of 2001 in massacres and selective homicides related to that country's terrible civil war.

By drawing on diverse sources of information, this work brings together the thoughts of historians, journalists,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786410841
• ISBN13: 9780786410842
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.1" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A lucid account of the war in Colombia

I would like to warmly reccommend anyone interested in the modern historical developments that led up to the current situation in Colombia to read this book. Ruiz clearly sets out the background without losing momentum, bringing the reader into the politcal and military quagmire of today that Colombia is trying to escape. This was the first book I read on Colombia and I was not dissapointed. The book manages to span a wide range of topics, from politics and international terrorism to drug war and human rights and still maintain focus. For an in-depth but incredibly accessible account of that country's plight, I can think of no better book.

Love in the time of war

Bert Ruiz's book is a great overall analysis of the conditions which have created modern Colombia. The description of past hostilities helped solidify the violence of today. Colombia is a land of riddles and land of dreams. She is soaked in blood and screaming for peace. The Colombian civil war is a war of oppression, a war fueled by drugs, a war of pride and a forgotten people. Mr. Ruiz thoroughly presents a scholarly triumph that explains the conditions of Colombia's instability. The research is thorough and objective. The diplomatic machinations, which have failed due to partisanship, are examples of his non-biased approach. Colombia is the new Vietnam slowly escalating into the realm of complete civil war. The stabilization of the region is in jeopardy due to these increased levels of violence. The United States must re-evaluate the issue of Colombia, aside from sending military advisors. This type of escalation led to full combat participation in Vietnam. The same conditions still apply. An international covenant with Colombia must be pursued. The United Nations focal point should rely on the creation of a platform that will lead to peace. As Bert Ruiz states, "significant social, judicial, and land reforms...must cleanse the nation of its dishonest culture of denial." It is only when this denial is cleansed that a solution to the problems of Colombia can be resolved.

Overwhelming

Ruiz casts a fierce glow on Colombia. This book is harrowing, tragic, cruelly honest and powerfully written. It will endure.

Admirably honest

The research in this book is staggering. Ruiz is a meticulous writer. He shows all the flaws of American policy in Colombia.

An eyeopener

Bert Ruiz spins a chilling tale. The frightening aspect of this book is that it is all true. I think all students studying Latin America should read this text. In my opinion, the name of this book should be "Revolution in Colombia."