Hybrid Warfare Concept and its Relevance in Latin America

Abstract

The concept of “hybrid warfare” is slippery. According to Frank G. Hoffman, such conflicts “incorporate a range of different forms of warfare, including conventional capabilities, irregular tactics and formations, terrorist acts involving indiscriminate violence and coercion, and criminal disorder”. To understand such an approach, it is essential to consider two trends that are affecting the way from different angles of armed conflicts, “convergence” and “combination”. It is difficult to discuss the growing hybrid nature of conflicts in Latin America. In fact, the region has seen terrorist organizations and criminal structures have tended to converge both forms of action and organizational links. Thus, the Mexican cartels have joined their repertoire tactical actions of terrorism and guerrilla warfare while extending capacity to take parastatal functions - justice, social services, etc. - Between marginalized social sectors. Meanwhile, armed groups of political orientation have been able to survive only if they are able to connect to illicit economies such as drug trafficking and illegal mining. Undoubtedly the best known case is that of the FARC and ELN in Colombia.