The role of rural cooperatives in shaping the new rural reality of post-conflict Colombia: a perspective from the socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants
Abstract
The Final Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace goes beyond the mere disarmament of the guerrillas, requiring the socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants for a complete reintegration. Agricultural cooperatives, with their participatory, solidarity-based, and equitable nature, stand out as a viable and durable alternative for this process. This paper aims to study the role that rural cooperatives can play in the framework of socioeconomic reintegration, in line with their participatory, solidarity-based, and equitable nature. Based on a methodological approach of documentary analysis of specialized information, the role of rural cooperatives in the socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants is explored. Additionally, the role of the State in the “new rurality” of the post-conflict is analyzed. As a result, considerations are raised about the opportunity that rural cooperatives can represent for the reduction of poverty, the reconstruction of the social fabric, and the improvement of their living conditions. In addition, two success stories of associations formed by FARC ex-combatants who have contributed to the reconstruction of the social fabric and an effective socioeconomic reintegration are presented.
Received: 21 October 2024
Accepted: 18 February 2025
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