Overview

Due to its extensive periods of constitutional civilian rule, Colombia was once considered a model democracy in the Western Hemisphere. Despite relative political and economic stability, more recently Colombian democracy has been under threat from left wing guerrillas, the extensive narcotics industry, and the political influence of paramilitary groups. Although paramilitary groups demobilized throughout the country in 2005 in exchange for lenient prison sentences, ongoing investigations have uncovered troubling ties between these illegal armed groups and the Colombian political class, leading to government prosecutions and removal of elected officials.

Established in the 19th century, the Colombian Liberal and Conservative parties are among the oldest in the world. The power sharing arrangements between these two parties in the 1957-1958 National Front Accords had an unfortunate result of fostering many of the Colombian guerrilla movements active today. These groups chafed at the lack of openness and access in the Colombian political system and resorted to violence in order to force change. Although constitutional reforms in 1991 decentralized the political system, additional reforms are needed to increase the political participation of citizens.

Recent political reforms promoted by current President Alvaro Uribe have overhauled the political party system in Colombia, modifying the rules and structures of parliamentary groups and advancing internal party reform measures. These reform efforts include a June 2003 political reform bill, presidential reelection, a Law of Guarantees to ensure fair competition, and legislation addressing the rules and structures of parliamentary groups. Electoral threshold requirements have drastically reduced the number of parties, and forced others into coalitions to remain in existence.

The Colombian political party system is in a period of transition due to these reforms. Civil society, electoral agencies and political parties are continuing to educate themselves on and adjust to the new rules and regulations as they prepare for October 2007 municipal elections. Political parties in Colombia have responded by engaging in internal processes to change party structures, statutes and practices.

NDI's activities in Colombia are dedicated to the memory of Nevio Fernando Serna Díaz, a Colombian mayor who participated in NDI's Political Leadership Program but was brutally assassinated in May 2000.

NDI Activities

In 2005, NDI opened a field office in Bogota to conduct a political party reform program. This program began with a comprehensive baseline assessment and public opinion research on political parties. NDI signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with seven traditional and emerging parties as a framework for technical assistance targeting reform initiatives in the following areas: developing candidate selection models; adapting internal rules and structures to meet the requirements of recent reform legislation; using new technologies; developing party messages and communication strategies; fundraising; and party pollwatcher training.

NDI supports the implementation of party workplans on organizational strengthening, internal democracy practices, outreach to new sectors, seeking to enhance the political participation and skills of representatives of underrepresented sectors including youth, women, Afro-Colombian and indigenous. Together with Colombian and international partners, NDI hosts political and electoral reform policy forums and is implementing civic education initiatives in the department of Chocó.

Since 1999, NDI has been contributing to the political reform processes through the participation of young Colombian political leaders from traditional and emerging parties in NDI's regional Political Leadership Program.

In response to the regional trend of “crisis of confidence” in political parties, NDI developed a long-term regional initiative to train young political leaders, strengthen political parties, and foster relations among parties in the hemisphere. The program consists of a leadership development seminar followed by a year-long program of in-country party-strengthening projects to be implemented by these leaders.

NDI provides ongoing assistance to these projects through project consultations and providing expert trainers for project activities focused on party reform topics.

Seven young Colombian leaders from the Conservative, Liberal, Democratic Alternative Pole, Indigenous Social Alliance, Alas Team Colombia, Party of the U, and Radical Change parties are participating in the 2006 Regional Political Leadership Program. Their proposed projects target consolidating party structures, increasing participation and preparation of youth and new sectors, and implementing strategies for local development.

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