Constitutional process and National Assembly of 1991. Representations of peace in the written press from Voz. La verdad del pueblo (Voice. The truth of the people)

Abstract

The  article  analyzes  the  representations  identified  during  the peace  process  and  constitutional  reform  the  National  Constituent  Assembly (ANC) in Colombia 1991. It takes into account previous interdisciplinary  studies  that  address  the  issues, and  the categories as Representation, Peace and Constitutional Process.  The central questions are: Why the Assembly created expectations of peace and changes  in  Colombia?,  and  What  were  their  representations  in  the  written  press  ?  The  legal  background  and  socio-political  context  show government and university initiatives for constitutional reform, but also some efforts towards peace talks between the Government and  the  CGSB  during  the  administrations  of  President  Virgilio  Barco  Vargas  (1986  -  1990)  and  Cesar  Augusto  Gaviria  Trujillo  (1990-1994).  The  case  chosen  for  analysis  are  the  speeches  and   messages  posted  on  the  weekly  Voz.  La  verdad  del  pueblo,  which  are oriented to represent: 1) the constitutional reforms of the ANC as generators peace and, 2) the Assembly as a mediator, companion, or driver of the peace process between the government and the CGSB (CGSB). The authors argue how the proposed constitutional change was not necessarily the mechanism that ensured peace between the State and armed insurgent groups through the National Constituent Assembly; but it was representing the most peace speeches held in the Colombian society of the time.