Into the Jungle: My Life as a Guerrilla in Colombia - Paperback

by Tanja Nijmeijer (Author), Mariela Kohon (Foreword by), Elizabeth Manton (Translator)

"Nijmeijer's book is bathed in the resplendent hope of building a better world" Vijay Prashad, Director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research

"Gives a unique insight into what motivated a young Dutch woman to be part of an armed insurgent organization" Moritz Tenthoff, Pacto EcoSocial e Intercultural del Sur

They called her a terrorist, a traitor, a radical. Tanja Nijmeijer finally tells her side of the story.

At just 24 years old, Tanja Nijmeijer left the Netherlands to join the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a decision that stunned the world. Ever since, her story has been rewritten by others--journalists, critics, and pundits eager to pass judgment.

In this powerful memoir, Nijmeijer tells her story for the first time in her own words. From a quiet Dutch town to a decade fighting inside one of the world's most controversial and enduring guerrilla armies, Into the Jungle offers an unsparing look at the human side of armed conflict, and what it means to be a woman revolutionary. Drawing on her experience on the frontlines and later as a negotiator at the landmark peace talks in Havana, Nijmeijer provides an intimate glimpse into a war that has defined Colombia's history, the aftershocks of which are still felt today.

After ten years of fighting in the FARC, Tanja Nijmeijer joined peace negotiations in Cuba, which culminated in a peace settlement. Later, she established De Mano en Mano, a cooperative run by ex-fighters, creating a "House of Peace" in central Cali, Colombia. Today, she lives on the outskirts of Cali with her husband, also an ex-fighter, an adopted son, their dogs, cats, and chickens.

Author Biography

After ten years of fighting with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Tanja Nijmeijer joined peace negotiations in Cuba which culminated, four years later, in a peace settlement. Later, she established the cooperative De Mano en Mano, run by ex-fighters, creating a 'House of Peace' in central Cali, Colombia. Today, she lives on the outskirts of Cali with her husband, also an ex-fighter, an adopted son, their dogs, cats and chickens.

Mariela Kohon is the former Director and current Vice Chair of Justice for Colombia. She was an adviser in the peace process between the Colombian government and the FARC that led to the 2016 Peace Agreement. Mariela has worked in subsequent peace processes in Colombia, advising the Colombian Government, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, the Norwegian Embassy in Bogotá, and the Geneva based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.