The European Union as a peace actor - Proposals for conflict resolution in Colombia and Venezuela

The security and humanitarian situations in Colombia and Venezuela have mostly been regarded separately. However, the two countries’ fates are intertwined in a multitude of ways. Aside from sharing a similar colonial history, they share a long border. Even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, this region was troubled by state absence and -weakness facilitating illegal and criminal structures. Considering dire situations on both sides of the border and a unique opportunity presenting itself by the shift in the US administration, authors Kristina Birke Daniels, Susanne Stollreiter and Katharina Wegner of FES call for both Germany and the European Union to seize the moment. They outline ten ways both actors should get more involved and promote peace and stability in the region –notably, by the creation of an EU special representative to Colombia and Venezuela.