Organization and Planning of the Social Space of the Farc-EP in Medellín, Colombia (1990-2000): The Militias and the Frente Urbano Rural Jacobo Arenas

This article examines the forms of social planning and organization implemented by the FARC-EP through its militias and the Jacobo Arenas Urban-Rural Front. The militias were divided into two types: Bolivarian and Popular. Conceived as non-uniformed armed structures, they played a crucial role in consolidating territorial control. Far from being mere auxiliaries, the militias acted as intermediaries between the civilian population and the guerrilla leadership, carrying out logistical tasks, intelligence operations, and social coercion (Kalyvas et al., 2008; Della Porta, 2013; Malešević, 2017).

This analysis reveals how the FARC-EP structured its militias into clear hierarchical levels with defined leadership and specific roles. These structures enabled efficient coordination in both rural areas of Medellín and the urban center, where the militias were responsible for activities such as intelligence gathering, organizing community events, and managing resources, people, and materials (Arjona, 2016; Gutiérrez Sanín, 2015).

The article is based on 15 interviews with various FARC-EP members across different ranks. Additionally, the information was cross-checked with public interviews and judicial rulings.

The article also explores how the FARC-EP utilized the militias to implement “social justice” projects, including the enforcement of sanctions against those who failed to comply with their rules. Through these dynamics, a process of bureaucratization is evident, allowing the guerrilla organization to maintain a partially effective social control, consistent with its strategy of prolonged warfare. Finally, the article reflects on the inherent contradictions in this form of organization, particularly regarding the centralization of power and the tensions that arose between the FARC-EP's interests and the needs of local communities (Arjona et al., 2015).