Between development, necropolitics and “social cleansing”. The typical case of the city Pereira, Colombia.

Abstract

Introduction: Disputes to consolidate the modern project in transforming societies found in violence a mediating element of urban changes, especially in the Latin American context. This text interprets the case of the coffee-growing region of Colombia, specifically the city of Pereira, to analyse the relationships between necropolitics, development and human rights violations in the process of urban transformation. Methodology: From a sociological perspective and using a qualitative approach, the most important urbanisation processes in Pereira, which occurred at the end of the 20^th century and the beginning of the 21^st century, are studied in order to identify dynamics related to violence and human rights violations. Results: Devices of concealment, systematic violation of human rights and violent practices were identified as part of the most significant urban transformation processes in the city of Pereira, which was key in the Colombian coffee economy. Discussion and conclusions: The study reveals how violence, both physical and symbolic, accompanied urbanisation processes in Pereira, reflecting the complex interactions between necropolitics, development and human rights in a region of high economic dynamics.