Colombia is situated on the North tip of the South American continent, with a privileged position that gives it the distinction of being the only country in the region with coasts both on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Colombia counts with vast natural resources, which make it a land rich in coffee, exotic flowers, emeralds, and beautiful landscapes. Colombians are strong people who are able to find reasons to smile despite all the senseless violence and suffering that have accompanied them for most of their lives. In Colombia, everybody has a horror story to tell. .
In 1813, Colombia declared independence from Spain; and along with Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador became part of the Great Colombia in 1819. However, this union did not last long and disintegrated soon after the death of its first president and creator Simon Bolivar. Throughout its history Colombia has had a democratic elected government; and has suffered from two civil wars: one from 1899 - 1902, and the second from 1948 - 1953. However, many would argue that the current situation qualifies as the third civil war to hit this country; one that has lasted about 40 years and counting.
During recent years the local government has had to battle against guerrillas, paramilitaries, and drug traffickers. However, after the death of Pablo Escobar, the leader of the Medellin Cartel, in 1993, the violent acts perpetrated by this group and others involved in the illicit drug trade have become overshadowed by the bloody battles among opposing political groups. In the present the main parties involved in the conflict are:.
Leftist Guerrilla Groups: The two main guerrilla groups are the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN); however, there are more small independent groups as well. Both of the major organizations were created about the same time in the 1950s and 1960s and with similar ideologies and goals.
Gran Colombia only lasted a short time. ... But it did not prevent a fierce civil war, called the War of the Thousand Days, which was fought from 1899 to 1902. Colombia lost Panama in 1903. ... During the World War II (1939-1945), Colombia helped the United States keep the Panama canal open. ... About 200,000 Colombians were killed during La Violencia. ...
Civil War and Colombia: A Four-Way Nightmare Colombia's civil war has been raging for nearly 40 years now. ... So far, nearly 2 million Colombians have vacated their homes to escape the violence of civil war. ... In the meantime, the Colombian Armed Forces have been mostly concentrating on fighting the civil war, not the drug war. ... The link between the drug war and civil war in Colombia has caused the U.S many problems trying to decide on an effective policy for dealing with Colombia. ... attitude towards Colombia's civil war. ...
The United States has become involved in a perspective peace plan to end civil war and reduce the amount of illegal drug production. ... The U.S. should help Colombia end its civil turmoil peacefully and terminate the illicit drug trade. January has been designated as the month U.S. will become involved and aid the Colombian military in retaining peace after 34 years of civil war. ... It has become increasingly difficult to separate Colombia's war on drugs from its war against communist rebels. ... The plan devised by Pastrana was to put an end to civil war, repair the economy, an...
The Colombian and American governments should increase their response to The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Weakened by the corruption sown by cocaine cartels and a decades-long civil war, the Colombian government faces a strong leftist insurgent group that not only wages guerrilla warfare but also carry's out kidnappings, hijackings, attacks on civilians, and political assassinations. ... One would think that such allegedly well-informed people as members of the United States House of Representatives would do everything in their power to help the Colombian government -...
Colombia's Geography Colombia is currently in the northwest corner of South America. ... Colombia's Modern Government Colombia's Government is a republic. ... Colombia's Main Cities Bogota is one of Colombia's major cities and it is also Colombia's capital. ... Colombia's third main city is Cali. ... Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolivar's vice president, served as president between 1832 and 1836, a period of stability, but by 1840 civil war had erupted....
Colombia is a very interesting country. ... Colombia is 1,138910 square kilometers. ... Colombia also has a population of 37,422,791. ... In Colombia's more recent history it has been plagued by civil war. More so in the 19th Century then today, bloody Civil war was common, and the country was at political unrest for many years. ...
The Republic of Colombia is located in South America and was founded in the year 1819 as the republic of Gran Colombia. Gran Colombia consisted of present day Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela. ... In 1863 after a civil war had broken out Gran Colombia became known as the Republic of Colombia, and has remained that since. ... Many Colombians have made great contributions to culture. ... The national sport of Colombia is soccer. ...
Colombia's official name is the Republic of Colombia. ... Colombia has several large cities. ... Colombia's monetary unit is the Colombian peso. ... They finally erupted into a violent civil war in 1899. An agreement between the two parties brought an end to the civil war in 1902. ...
Colombia Colombia, a country unknown to many is a land of myths, beauty and magic that unfortunately has had a turbulent history and has been soaked with blood in innumerable civil wars and has endured the continent's most massive and persistent guerrilla insurgency. ... But according to Gustavo Wilches on his book "La vida en Colombia" (Life in Colombia) life for people in Colombia is as normal and orderly as in any other country despite all the problems it is going through. (54). ... Colombia has significant racial integration. ... Colombia has a number of islands. ... ...
