Even Better Than the Real Thing? Measuring the Multidimensional Reintegration of Graduated Ex-Combatants in Colombia
Abstract
At what point can ex-combatants be viewed as fully reintegrated into civilian life? This article analyses the reintegration of Colombian guerilla and paramilitary ex-combatants, after graduation from the national reintegration programme. In the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) literature, research on post-graduation reintegration is scarce. Based on a unique survey with 444 ex-combatants, measuring social, economic and political reintegration, this study finds that on some key measures, ex-combatants were doing better than the national average. While generalisations should be tempered, this suggests that ex-combatants can reintegrate successfully, even during on-going conflict – encouraging evidence in a field with largely inconclusive outcomes.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Conflict
Peace
and Violence in Colombia
Gender
Security
and Conflict
History and Politics in Latin America
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Civil Wars
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 139–166
- Publication date
- 2 January 2026
- Language
- EN