La «política antillana» de la Gran Colombia: interpretación realista

Abstract

The article aims to rework the history of the «Antillean politics» of Colombia, relying on the realist theoretical contributions of International Relations. Traditional works are wrong in stating that Bolívar had the real intention of liberating Cuba and Puerto Rico, and that this expedition was not launched due to various internal and external difficulties. This study also departs - partially - from revisionist works. This school claims that Bolívar did not intend to carry out the expedition for fear of raising the racial issue in the Caribbean and, on the contrary, used the threat of this to dissuade Spain and force it to grant recognition to Colombia. This study accepts that Bolívar gave priority to the deterrence strategy, but for other realist reasons: the disparity of power between Colombia and Spain, as well as the fear of a virulent reaction from the great powers; it will also be seen that the expedition was considered as a last resort and at a late stage, although this possibility was weighed against other international variables that hardly came to fruition.