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Before the COVID-19 outbreak, infectious diseases did not attract much political or social attention in Colombia. Now, it is clear that an infectious disease can levy an intolerable burden on society and the State. This article seeks to determine whether possible future pandemics can be considered a threat to Colombia's multidimensional security. Based on this research's first installment statements, this work begins by studying the main epidemiological outbreaks so far in the 21st century. Next, it analyzes the evolution of the current pandemic's threat and its social, economic, and geopolitical effects. Then, it reflects on whether this type of pandemic should be considered a threat to multidimensional security. Finally, it proposes some recommendations to the Colombian Government for anticipating and preparing the State's biodefense to face an impending pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the evolution and impact of epidemics and pandemics in history is essential to understand the future impact of the current pandemic on the security and well-being of nations and geopolitical dynamics. This work is the first of two articles that seek to account for how infectious diseases have affected and may affect the stability and prosperity of nations. The purpose of this article is to establish the impact of epidemics and pandemics as a decisive factor in political, economic, and military events from Antiquity to the 20th century. To this end, the impact of infectious diseases in history is studied. Then, their interaction with wars is analyzed to estimate their potential as a factor of crisis and instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]