The relationships between food security and violent conflicts are conditioned, mediated and influenced by the specific context in which they take place. In the case of Colombia, the main mechanism whereby the armed conflict has had a negative effect on food security is the mass forced displacement generated by the dispute over and control of rural territories by the armed actors. This analysis shows that the effects of conflict on food security extend beyond the short term. Therefore, we stress the need to supplement immediate action with comprehensive policies aimed at bringing about structural changes that contribute to achieving food security in the medium and long term. This paper was elaborated to provide background material for the report The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017. Building resilience for peace and food security (available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-I7695e.pdf).