Many factors have contributed to extreme political instability and violence in Colombia-the drug trade, a protracted insurgent conflict, corruption-but small arms proliferation remains one of the key underlying problems. The authors analyze the black- and gray-market sources of small/light arms, explosives, equipment, and materiel which are available to terrorist and insurgent organizations currently active in Colombia, as well as policy implications for the country and the United States.
Many factors have contributed to extreme political instability and violence in Colombia-the drug trade, a protracted insurgent conflict, corruption-but small arms proliferation remains one of the key underlying problems. The authors analyze the black- and gray-market sources of small/light arms, explosives, equipment, and materiel which are available to terrorist and insurgent organizations currently active in Colombia, as well as policy implications for the country and the United States.