The killing of Antioquia state Governor Guillermo Gaviria Correa on May 5, 2003, among ten hostages massacred by FARC guerrillas in reaction to a military rescue attempt, deprived Colombia and the world of a nonviolent political leader whose legacy is no less significant than those of Gandhi and Martin Luther

Key Words: Colombia, hostage, Ingrid Betancourt, Latin American politics, presidential campaign, Uribe

Marco Rossi discusses the recent invasion of Ecuador's national sovereignty in light of the tension between military activities justified by the war on terror and the established principles of international relations embodied by the UN and the OAS.

Camilo Acero discusses the massive, peaceful protests in Colombia which were organized by Oscar Morales through a Facebook group called "One Million Voices Against the FARC." Approximately four million answered the call.

In light of the current peace negotiations between the FARC and Colombian government there is the potential for thousands of children to be demobilized in the upcoming year(s). While this is promising, children have not been adequately included in the peace process so far. This is ominously reminiscent of

Tara Ruttenberg and Gustavo Fuchs analyze the creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) within the new framework of Latin American Integration in the 21st century. They provide insight into existing regional integration initiatives UNASUR and ALBA, and provide commentary as to how CELAC represents a

Katharina Röhl analyses the driving forces behind the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in their continuing fight in an ever more violent armed conflict that has now lasted over four decades. While grievances certainly have been important, increasingly greed plays its part which in turn leads to new grievances.