628: Exploring the Architecture of Power in Colombia with Jenny Pearce of London School of Economics

In this week's discussion on the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl reconnects with Jenny Pearce, a visiting professor at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics. They delve into her recent book, "¿Quién manda en Colombia? Elites, Poder y Nación", co-authored with Juan David Velasco Montoya. This work not only explores the historical context of Colombian elites but also challenges the common narrative surrounding violence in the country. A critical part of Jenny's work is her analysis of the five "constellations of elites" in Colombia, which include oligarchic, technocratic, union, political, and legal elites. This framework illustrates how these groups interact across different sectors of society, emphasizing that Colombia's power dynamics are complex and interconnected. Jenny describes Colombia as a singular case rather than a paradox, where high levels of inequality coexist with electoral stability. This unique characteristic is essential for understanding the country's political and economic history, as she explains: "You have to connect the reproduction of the violences, the high levels of inequality, and the macroeconomic stability." Through her rigorous research, Jenny Pearce invites us to reconsider the narratives surrounding power and violence in Colombia. Her insights not only enrich our understanding of Colombian society but also challenge us to think critically about the role of elites in shaping the future. For a deeper dive into these compelling themes, check out Jenny's book, "¿Quién manda en Colombia?", which serves as both a scholarly reference and a call to action for addressing the complexities of power in Colombia.   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.

For this week's episode, Richard McColl and Emily Hart connected with two humanitarian organisations working on the ground in the wake of last Monday's earthquake. Today, they are joined by Juan Camilo Jiménez, currently in Pereira working for World Central Kitchen, and Pamela Londoño, working in Cali for Hope Project Colombia. Beyond the drama of rubble and rescue, World Central Kitchen and Hope Project work with food and health to accompany people directly after a disaster but also in the weeks which follow, as they find new homes, rebuild their lives, and process what has happened to their communities.  World Central Kitchen (WCK) provides fresh meals in response to humanitarian and climate crises: they have set up food trucks and community kitchens, as well as funding local restaurants to cook meals for victims of the crisis which followed the earthquake. https://donate.wck.org/campaign/749360/donate Project Hope is a global health and humanitarian organisation which has been assessing the impact of the earthquake on local medical facilities and the wider health system. https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/responses/colombia-earthquake-how-to-help/ Juan Camilo and Pamela spoke about the importance of local knowledge and community, especially when it comes to sustainability and getting responses right: they tell us that the humility of arriving with energy and the right questions is crucial to forming a response which not only serves but also makes the most of the community itself, incorporating its existing structures and expertise.  Tailoring responses to local needs and local wants, the two told us about the importance of adaptation, arepas de chócolo, and creating the conditions for local solutions: Colombians supporting Colombians.

On this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Gwen Weber discusses her master's thesis on the digitalization of conflict in Colombia, focusing on TikTok's role in recruitment and propaganda among dissident groups. This episode explores how social media influences conflict dynamics and the risks for vulnerable youth. key topics: TikTok's algorithm and content recommendation system The role of social media in conflict and recruitment in Colombia Types of dissident TikTok content and their aesthetic appeal The impact of digital media on vulnerable youth and recruitment Music and sound as propaganda tools in dissident TikTok videos Challenges in content moderation and regulation in Colombia The connection between online content and offline recruitment Potential solutions and the role of AI in content filtering   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl hosts Sergio Guzmán and Kirra Moore of Colombia Risk Analysis to discuss Colombia's political landscape, upcoming presidential policies, and the implications for the first 100 days of incoming President Abelardo de la Espriella's government. They analyse key issues such as peace, security, economic reforms, and foreign relations, providing insights into what to expect from Colombia's new administration.   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.

In this episode of the Colombia Calling Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Kristian Erskog, a Colombian adoptee raised in Sweden. Kristian shares the emotional journey of discovering his roots, reuniting with his birth family, and navigating the complexities of identity and belonging. The conversation delves into the impact of adoption on family dynamics, the trauma associated with it, and the healing that comes from reconnecting with one's origins. Kristian's story is a testament to the resilience of family bonds and the importance of sharing these narratives. In this conversation, Kristian Erskog shares his profound journey of self-discovery as an adoptee from Colombia, exploring the complexities of family dynamics, cultural identity, and the emotional connections that shape his life. He reflects on his experiences in Colombia, the relationships he has built with his biological family, and the contrasting approaches to adoption and identity among fellow adoptees. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding one's roots and the personal growth that comes from embracing one's heritage.

La Escombrera, a vast rubble pile overlooking Medellín, is considered to be Colombia's largest urban mass grave. Its excavation this year has unearthed the remains of people whose families have been searching for them for decades.  Earlier this month, it was announced that the excavation there is being expanded. Some hope that what is found in that rubble will answer deeper questions - about how the conflict unfolded here in the city, and how the state was complicit in murders and human rights violations committed by paramilitary groups. This week, Emily Hart, journalist and Colombia Calling host, takes us through an article she wrote on her Substack about La Escombrera, the dynamics and history of Colombia's civil conflict, and about how this war - largely characterised by rural conflict and guerrilla tactics - ended up radically changing the face of Colombia's cities. Sign up and subscribe to Emily's Substack: https://harte.substack.com And don't miss the Colombia Briefing reported by Emily as well.   

When British foreign correspondent Richard McColl purchased, on a whim, a ruined colonial building in the rural Colombian town of Mompós, he imagined a lifestyle of relaxation, with idle afternoons reading the works of Gabriel García Márquez, writing glib observations and enjoying the hypnotic momentum of a Caribbean tropical narrative, swaying in a hammock and the promise of an ice cold beer never far away. He was mistaken. His first restoration yields a hostel, which later becomes a hotel and then spirals into further projects including the restoration of three more colonial houses, experiencing challenges that make him reconsider his upbringing, education and outlook on how he fits into his adopted homeland. With two hotels in Mompós, he experiences the joy of new friendships and a despair over the predictability of guests. With a journalist's eye for a story, McColl navigates the history of Mompós and how its society is a microcosm of today's Colombia, with its feudal system still very much in place, inherent prejudices, stigma surrounding the politics, the people and the past, all coming to the fore.   Buy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ezGbsP3 Or in selected bookshops in Bogota, Cartagena, Santa Marta, at Waterstones and Daunts in the UK. 

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Emily Hart about her extensive reporting - for a piece in Delayed Gratification magazine -  on the phenomenon of Colombian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.    They discuss the complexities of recruitment, the motivations behind these young men joining foreign conflicts, and the harsh realities they face on the battlefield.    The conversation also touches on the economic factors driving these decisions, the impact on families left behind, and the ethical implications of such recruitment practices.    Emily shares poignant stories from her interviews, highlighting the human cost of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers.    The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications of these conflicts and the importance of human stories in journalism.   Tune in for this and the Colombia Briefing. 

On this week's Colombia Calling podcast, we make in-depth analysis of Colombia's recent presidential election, voter turnout, regional voting patterns, and the implications for the country's future political landscape. I speak to colleague and friend Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports. You are warned, I get personal in this one!   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.