Acknowledging Belligerence

The article begins with a clarification of the notion of civil war and its relationship with lnternational Law throughout the twentieth century. The article develops the subject in light of the applicable norms as stated in the Geneva Protocols, lnter-American and lnternational Humanitarian Law. lt considers the question of hostage exchange, as well as the con­sequences of acknowledging belligerence for the state and for the rebeis. The article ends with a distinction between belligerence and the applica­bility of lnternational Humanitarian Law and considers the implications of this distinction for the Colombian case.