A teoria dos complexos regionais de segurança e a relação Estados Unidos-Colômbia: combate às drogas no governo Uribe (2002-2006)

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the applicability of the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) - developed by Buzan and Waever (2003) - to understand the relationship between the United States and Colombia in the "fight against drugs", analysing the first term of the Uribe government (2002-2006). Taking into account the history of approximation between the two countries and what could be considered a deepening of such relationship between the government mentioned above, there are points - such as (i) the development of Plan Colombia, (ii) the focus on the fight against terrorism in the policies of national security in the United States after 9/11 and (iii) Uribe's Democratic Security Policy - which, together, brought a stronger and more militarised presence of the United States in the Andean region and especially in the Colombian territory, characterising a relationship - in terms of security - that can be understood using the RSCT. In this way, a qualitative methodology was applied, using a bibliographical survey method, which is based on the literature on the history of the relationship between the countries and on the RSCT. Thus, the applicability of the RSCT to the conjuncture studied in this paper has a positive impact, however, with limitations which can be solved by debates on similar theories.