Plural violence(s) and migrants’ transnational engagement with democratic politics: the case of Colombians in Europe

Abstract

This article explores how multiple, interrelated violence(s) shape the ways in which migrants relate to democratic politics transnationally. It takes as a departing point the literature on violent democracies and violent pluralism in the Latin American context, and more specifcally the situation in Colombia, where democratic institutions coexist with plural violence(s). Following on from studies of migrant transnational politics, the analysis focuses on the Colombian diaspora and how migrants coming from violent democracies engage politically with the home country. Based on extensive research with Colombian migrants in Europe since the mid-90s, the article shows how despite diferent motivations for migrating, origin-country violence plays a signifcant role in the lives of many Colombians abroad. It then explores how violence infuences migrants’ transnational politics. Migrating from a context of pervasive violence(s) can afect migrants’ sense of transnational belonging as well as increase mistrust and indiference towards formal democratic processes. However, the situation in the home country, together with being exposed to diferent conditions in the host society, can also motivate migrants to participate transnationally in initiatives to end the violence, thus increasing cooperation and trust.