Abstract. This article examines the process of increasing complexity of Colombian criminal groups which is facilitated by their transformation into a network form of organization. This leads to decentralization and greater adaptability of criminal organizations and as a result of which they more effectively counter the state. It is shown that networkization along with the militarization of criminal organizations maintains the state of internal armed conflict in Colombia which is transformed from an irregular war into a non-classical war in the form of a criminal insurgency. It has been established that Colombian criminal organizations are de facto political entities as they are able to exercise territorial control and act as parties to an internal armed conflict that persists despite the 2016 peace agreements. The intensity of this conflict has decreased but it has not ended. It is concluded that in reality the post-conflict phase in Colombia has not occurred. The tactics of security forces under various Colombian governments since 2016 are shown as well as the impact of the internal armed conflict on neighboring states. It has been established that the transformation of the irregular war in Colombia into a criminal insurgency has a geopolitical impact through cross-border crime and the interaction of Colombian groups with Mexican and Ecuadorian criminal organizations. It is concluded that drug production has increased in the criminal insurgency in Colombia the profits from which strengthen international terrorist and criminal organizations. This poses a threat to global security.
Keywords: Colombia, internal armed conflict, non-classical wars, criminal insurgency, irregular war, non-state violent actors, criminal organizations, fragmentation, networkization.