Abstract
This article tries to understand the leadership aspiration of Colombian foreign policy during the two presidential terms of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2014-2018) in a context of transition to the post-conflict period and the material limitations of the country as a secondary regional power. Role theory, the concept of leadership as process, and niche diplomacy are used. This case study focuses on the projection of Colombia in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC) through the offer of South-South Cooperation (SSC) and Triangular Cooperation (TrC). Empirically, the configuration of a new role conception is identified, represented by cooperation with CAC in the resolution of similar problems to those faced by Colombia, by knowledge transfer. Subsequently, the role performance of Colombia in the two sub-regions through SSC and TrC is analysed. The result is that Colombia has a favourable asymmetry in CAC through its roles as “partner” and “pivot” country, approaching the type of projection described by the concepts of issue-oriented and functional leadership, building a thematic and geographical niche diplomacy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 113-135 |
Journal | Rising Powers Quarterly |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- Central America and the Caribbean
- Colombian Foreign Policy
- Leadership
- New Role Conception
- South-South Cooperation
- Triangular Cooperation