Understanding the Ideological Transformation of FARC in Colombia

In 2016, the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) agreed to a peace deal that led to their disarmament. The former guerrilla group, FARC, integrated into Colombian politics by forming a new party called Comunes. FARC, thus, has taken a similar route to other former rebel groups in Latin America by pursuing its agenda as a political party after demobilizing. This thesis examines the ideological transformation and political evolution of FARC, analyzing its transition from a Marxist-Leninist insurgent group to a political party within Colombia’s democratic system. By exploring FARC’s historical role in the Colombian conflict and its ideological shift, particularly its embrace of Bolivarian principles in the 1990s, the study aims to understand the persistence and adaptation of its core political values following its disarmament in 2016. Using a case study approach, the thesis assesses how FARC’s ideology influences the peace process, its post-conflict political agenda, and its current role as the Comunes party within Colombia’s legislature. Ultimately, the research seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of rebel-to-party political transition, specifically in Latin America, by exploring whether FARC’s political platform and actions align with the ideological goals that fueled its insurgency.