Thursday, July 1, 2021 / By: Steve Hege
Steve Hege, regional deputy director for Latin America, testified on July 1, 2021 at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's hearing on "Protests in Colombia." His expert testimony as prepared is presented below.
Co-Chair McGovern, Co-Chair Smith, and distinguished members of the Commission, thank you for inviting me to testify at this important hearing on the complex current situation in Colombia.
I am the Deputy Director for Latin America at the United States Institute of Peace, although the views expressed here are my own. The U.S. Institute of Peace was established by Congress as an independent, nonpartisan national institute to prevent and resolve violent conflicts abroad, in accordance with U.S. national interests and values.
I would like to frame my remarks today around two considerations based on the Institute’s work in Colombia: the linkages between the current protests and the ongoing armed conflict; and the challenges of dialogue and negotiations.
Read the full report.