Deforestation during the implementation of peace accord in Colombia: a panel data analysis (2005-2018)

Deforestation is a relevant topic in socioeconomic and environmental studies. It is estimated that three-quarters of terrestrial biodiversity is covered by forest and 15% of all greenhouse emissions are produced by deforestation globally. Colombia contains 4.1% of the rainforest at the global scale and has a long-armed conflict. The vacuum of power left by FARC’s retreat has promoted that pre-existing illegal armed groups and the emergence of new actors began to occupy the municipalities where FARC used to have a presence. This dynamic has increased the rapacious behavior of illegal armed groups, exerting pressure over natural resources and thereby increasing alarmingly deforestation. The present paper demonstrates through an impact evaluation that uses fixed effect as an empirical strategy, that FARC discouraged deforestation before the unilateral ceasefire in the municipalities where they used to have presence, even though the heterogeneity of its force armed structure also generate negative impacts on forest land. Likewise, the paper also shows that the socioeconomic dynamics both legal and illegal that are promoting deforestation in Colombia should be examined jointly since these dynamics are interlinked.