Land contention as an obstacle to peace : the effect of multinational corporations and the palm oil industry on the Colombian conflict

Abstract

In 2012 the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla commenced peace talks for the first time in many years. This thesis looks at the Colombian land struggle from its earliest stages to understand the roots of the issue. Then this thesis links these issues with contemporary land contention and the invasion by multinational corporations and the African oil palm industry. Also, in the light of the current peace process, this thesis takes a look at how such foreign investment in Colombia can be an obstacle to peace. This thesis shows that the Colombian land struggle is greatly affected by Plan Colombia, multinational corporations and the oil palm industry. By analysing these foreign relations and the effect they have on land contention, using Center-Periphery theory, World-Systems Analysis and imperialism, it is clear that these foreign relations greatly benefit the stronger nation (the U.S)whereas the Colombia is being exploited.