Between the ethereal collective guilt and the few responsible: The extermination of the Patriotic Union (UP) - Colombia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to criticize collective guilt as a potential strategy to make the individual responsible for serious crimes against humanity invisible, from Arendt's perspective, focusing this criticism on the case of the extermination of the Patriotic Union (UP) in Colombia. The judicial system, through different pronouncements, has determined the responsibility of the State in the commission of the extermination of the UP; However, this collective responsibility has not resulted in the investigation and prosecution of those directly responsible for these crimes. Thus, it is possible that a scenario in which we are all guilty no one, finally, ends up being responsible for direct participation in serious crimes such as that of the UP.