Indigenous Political Dynamics in Transition Context in Colombia. Bets and Resistance Around the 2018-2019 Elections

Abstract

This paper focuses on how indigenous political dynamics have been expressed in Colombia after the signing of the 2016 peace agreements. It examines chronologically the position of indigenous organizations, as well as their defense of peace, on the occasion of the national elections of 2018 and subnational elections of 2019. The analysis is based on the information and/or data published by the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil, the media, Internet websites, and statements from the indigenous organizations. It is a continuation of previous theoretical and/or empirical works that deal with identity claims, social movements, and political-electoral representation, as well as with their dynamic interrelationships. From a conjectural perspective, this study aims to be a contribution to a reflection on the articulation between grassroots struggles and electoral issues from the indigenous movement. It shows how indigenous peoples continue to use direct social mobilization as a strategy of resistance along with their electoral participation.