Medellin: Politics and Conflict

This plan is an attempt to give a different meaning to the city than merely violence. Cultural projects and programs are implemented all over the city.

There were 6 349 homicides in 1991, the most violent year. Medellin is the most violent city in the world at this point.

During the years of heightened violence, mayoral employees and community groups meet to coordinate and share ideas about the reality of violence in the city and how to confront it.

The new 1991 constitution brings many changes to Colombia, that the Catholic Church not be the state church and recognition of minority rights are two big examples among others.

For Medellin, the fact that Mayors will not be nominated but rather elected leads to a structural change that allows for mayors elaborate Municipal Development Plans. The 90's are a time of increased strategic territorial planning.

In the new 1991 Colombian constitution extradition becomes illegal, something Pablo had be fighting for. He subsequently turns himself in to the authorities although his time in jail will be comfortable and brief.

Investment in recovering public spaces in the center of the city through the construction of tourist sites.

*Note: This "park" has no real green spaces and much more resembles a plaza.

The new position is named by the president and is part of an effort to help organize civil society with NGOs, foundations and other civic groups.

Using triangulation of calls to his family, a joint local police force and CIA operation tracks and kills Pablo Escobar after his fleeing from jail. He is killed on a roof while running away from arrest.

The legality of “Special Vigilance Services and Private Security” groups, or CONVIVIR, was authorized during President Gaviria’s administration and later strengthened during President Pizano’s administration. Paramilitaries operated within this framework and were therefore essentially legalized. The then-governor of Antioquia and future president Alvaro Uribe strongly supported the CONVIVIR. After human rights violation denunciations in 1997 these groups were largely limited.
In Medellin the CONVIVIR are consolidated during these years as well as groups such as the MAJACA (Death to the Car Thieves)

Between 1998 and 2000 the Peace and Coexistence Counsel of Medellin, headed by Luis Guillermo Pardo, leads 26 non-aggression pacts and 25 mediations in Medellin’s neighborhoods.
“At the end of 2000 some of the signatories of the pacts considered the state support scarce, that the employment offered lasted little time or was not available for all the members of the gangs involved”

The impact of this initiative was not as positive as hoped for.

See: http://www.elcolombiano.com/proyectos/serieselcolombiano/textos/conflicto_urbano/mayo16/voluntad.htm

During this time paramilitary groups are strengthened.

Denouncing stealing of lands and assinations leads to death.
Jesús Maria OValle was de first of several human rights workers killed by the paramilitaries.

See: http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/P/proceso_del_asesinato_de_jesus_maria_ovalle_fue_reabierto/proceso_del_asesinato_de_jesus_maria_ovalle_fue_reabierto.asp

During the administration of Alvaro Uribe the security doctrine was strongly focused on increased military and police. In many cases he succeeded in removing guerilla groups from comunas and neighborhoods in Medellin, although usually these were replaced by paramilitary groups.
In terms of its economic policies “Democratic Security” emphasized tourism, exportation (mining and petroleum among others) and foreign investment in the country.

The Mayor's office propose employment and educational programs to youth in exchange for tranquility within neighborhoods. The concept is of paying for peace, in a certain sense.

See: http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-1328910

As part of Uribe’s “Democratic Security” politices, this operation along with others used advanced military technology and strength with the supposed goal of removing guerilla groups from Medellin’s neighborhoods, in this case Comuna 13.
“Operation Orion was led first by troops from the IV Brigade, commanded by General Mario Montoya, in conjuncture with the Administrative Department of Security (DAS), special forces of the National Police and the District Attorney’s office. It is calculated that about a thousand man participated, entering on land and by air to El Saldo, Independecias I, II, and III and Nuevos Conquiestadores neighborhoods. To these forces were added paramilitary forces from the Cacique and Nutibara Bloc of the United Autodefenses of Colombia (AUC)”
See: http://verdadabierta.com/nunca-mas/40-masacres/index.php?option=com_content&id=4264

More than 900 members of the Cacique Nutibara and Heroes de Granada Blocs of the AUC turned in weapons and demobilized.
Although there is a decrease of violence, this demobilization is seen in civil society only as a partial success given how many demobilized take up arms again in “criminal gangas” which reproduce the same patterns as paramilitary groups.
See: http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/asset/AMR23/019/2005/es/2abbb539-d4d5-11dd-8a23-d58a49c0d652/amr230192005es.html

“For more than 10 years the city of Medellin has been working in a systematic manner to advance the competitive development of its businesses. In order to do this a public-private sector work has been consolidated which privilages the Cluster Strategy as the matrix which allows businesses to be strengthened and be consolidated in a collective manner to innovate and access new markets such as is seen internationally.”

Large investment in the infrastructure of the city and educational facilities. Scholarships are awarded to study technical degrees, “Good Start” program for early childhood nutrition and other initiatives aimed at education begin.
Social Urbanism focuses on recovering parts of the city which have been forgotten building Library-parks and other public works.

A large part of the plan that in 2020 Antioquia (the región within which Medellin is located) be “just, peaceful, educated, forward-moving and in harmony with nature” is strengthening connectivity with the outside world so as to accomplish its incorporation to globalization. Within this context one understands the mega-projects that are under way.

See: http://www.planea-antioquia.org/planea/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=4
And: http://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/por-mejor-esquina/71200-3

Salazar continues with many of the same policies as his colleague and friend Fajardo and enfasizes further the cities competitivity internationally.

He works the proposal of "Antioquia the Best Corner in Latin America" and Medellin Cluster City, all within the national policy of Democratic Security.

Control of crime is disputed between two heads, "Valenciano"and "Sebastian" until they are killed or arrested.
See: http://www.elmundo.com/portal/resultados/detalles/?idx=132542

Don Berna, an ex-paramilitary who had taken part in a peace process took power a little after the death of Pablo Escobar. For many years he held the monopoly on crime in the city; a monopoly he kept even from his jail cell. His extradition created a power and leadership vacuum which in turn led to a large increase in violence city-wide.

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21638308

The “Urabeños”, part of the Office of Envigado, start taking control of the city, leading to higher violence especially in the comunas 8,10,13 y 16. They distribute pamphlets in neighborhoods installing a curfew by 8pm.
See: http://www.defensoria.org.co/red/index.php?item=0301&secc=03&ts=2&n=1650