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PROFILE Official Name
Geography People Government Economy PEOPLE Ethnic diversity in Colombia is a result of the intermingling of indigenous
Indians, Spanish colonists, and Africans. Today, only about 1% of the people can
be identified as fully Indian on the basis of language and customs.
HISTORY AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS The Spanish sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as 1500, but
their first permanent settlement, at Santa Marta, was not made until 1525. In
1549, the area was established as a Spanish colony with the capital at Santa fe
de Bogota. In 1717, Bogota became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada,
which included what is now Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. The city became one
of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New
World, along with Lima and Mexico City. In August 2000 the capital's name was
officially changed from "Santa Fe de Bogota" to the more usual
"Bogota."
On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota created the first representative
council to defy Spanish authority. Full independence was proclaimed in 1813, and
in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed.
The Republic Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, each party held the presidency
for roughly equal periods of time. Colombia maintained a tradition of civilian
government and regular, free elections. The military has seized power three
times in Colombia's history: in 1830, when Ecuador and Venezuela withdrew from
the republic (Panama became independent in 1903); again in 1854, and 1953-57.
Civilian rule was restored within one year in the first two instances.
Notwithstanding the country's commitment to democratic institutions,
Colombia's history has also been characterized by widespread, violent conflict.
Two civil wars resulted from bitter rivalry between the Conservative and Liberal
parties. The War of a Thousand Days (1899-1902) cost an estimated 100,000 lives,
and up to 300,000 people died during "La Violencia" (The
Violence) of the late 1940s and 1950s.
A military coup in 1953 brought Gen. Gustavo Rojas Pinilla to power.
Initially, Rojas enjoyed considerable popular support, due largely to his
success in reducing "La Violencia." When he did not restore
democratic rule, however, he was overthrown by the military in 1957 with the
backing of both political parties, and a provisional government was installed.
The National Front The National Front ended "La Violencia," and National Front
administrations instituted far-reaching social and economic reforms in
cooperation with the Alliance for Progress.
Although the system established by the Sitges agreement was phased out by
1978, the 1886 Colombian constitution--in effect until 1991--required that the
losing political party be given adequate and equitable participation in the
government. The 1991 constitution does not have that requirement, but subsequent
administrations have included members of opposition parties.
Post-National Front Years An attack on the Palace of Justice in Bogota by the AD/M-19 on November 6-7,
1985, and its violent suppression by the army, shocked Colombians. Of the 115
people killed, 11 were Supreme Court justices. Although the government and the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) renewed their truce in March 1986,
peace with other revolutionary movements, in particular the AD/M-19--then the
largest insurgent group--and the National Liberation Army (ELN) was remote as
Betancur left office.
The AD/M-19 and several smaller guerilla groups were successfully
incorporated into a peace process during the late 1980s, which culminated in a
national assembly to write a new constitution, which took effect in 1991. The
FARC had declared a unilateral cease-fire under Betancur, which led to the
establishment of the Union Patriotica (UP), a legal and non-clandestine
political organization. After growing violence against its UP members, the truce
with the FARC ended in 1990.
Following administrations had to contend with the guerrillas, paramilitaries,
and narcotics traffickers. Narcoterrorists assassinated three presidential
candidates before Cesar Gaviria Trujillo was elected in 1990. Since the death of
Medellin cartel leader Pablo Escobar in a police shootout during December 1993,
indiscriminate acts of violence associated with that organization have abated as
the "cartels" have broken up into multiple, smaller and
often-competing trafficking organizations. Nevertheless, violence continues as
these drug organizations resort to violence as part of their operations but also
to protest against government policies, including extradition.
President Ernesto Samper assumed office in August 1994. However, a political
crisis relating to largescale contributions from drug traffickers to Samper's
presidential campaign diverted attention from governance programs, thus slowing,
and in many cases, halting progress on the nation's domestic reform agenda.
On August 7, 1998, Andres Pastrana was sworn in as the President of Colombia.
A member of the Conservative Party, Pastrana defeated Liberal Party candidate
Horacio Serpa in a run-off election marked by high voter turn-out and little
political unrest. The new president's program was based on a commitment to bring
about a peaceful resolution of Colombia's longstanding civil conflict and to
cooperate fully with the United States to combat the trafficking of illegal
drugs.
While early initiatives in the Colombian peace process gave reason for
optimism, the Pastrana administration also has had to combat high unemployment
and other economic problems, such as the fiscal deficit and the impact of global
financial instability on Colombia. During his administration, unemployment has
risen to over 20%. Additionally, the growing severity of countrywide guerilla
attacks by the FARC and ELN, and smaller movements, as well as the growth of
drug production and the spread of paramilitary groups has made it difficult to
solve the country's problems.
Although the FARC and ELN accepted participation in the peace process, they
did not make explicit commitments to end the conflict. The FARC suspended talks
in November 2000, to protest what it called "paramilitary terrorism"
but returned to the negotiating table in February 2001, following 2 days of
meetings between President Pastrana and FARC leader Mario Marulanda. The
Colombian Government and ELN in early 2001 continued discussions aimed at
opening a formal peace process.
No single explanation fully addresses the deep roots of Colombia's
present-day troubles, but they include limited government presence in large
areas of the interior, the expansion of illicit drug cultivation, endemic
violence, and social inequities. In order to confront these challenges, the
Pastrana administration unveiled its Plan Colombia in late 1999, an integrated
strategy to deal with these longstanding, mutually reinforcing problems.
The main objectives of Plan Colombia are to promote peace, combat the
narcotics industry, revive the Colombian economy, improve respect for human
rights, and strengthen the democratic and social institutions of the country.
Colombia plans to finance $4 billion of the estimated $7.5 billion overall cost.
The United States approved a $1.3 billion assistance package, and the Colombian
Government is seeking additional support from the IFIs, the European Union, and
other countries.
GOVERNMENT The national government has separate executive, legislative, and judicial
branches. The president is elected for a 4-year term and cannot be re-elected.
The 1991 constitution reestablished the position of vice president, who is
elected on the same ticket as the president. By law, the vice president will
succeed in the event of the president's resignation, illness, or death.
Colombia's bicameral Congress consists of a 102-member Senate and a
161-member House of Representatives. Senators are elected on the basis of a
nationwide ballot, while representatives are elected in multimember districts
co-located within the 32 national departments. The country's capital is a
separate capital district and elects its own representatives. Members may be
re-elected indefinitely, and, in contrast to the previous system, there are no
alternate congressmen. Congress meets twice a year, and the president has the
power to call it into special session when needed.
The civilian judiciary is a separate and independent branch of government.
Guidelines and the general structure for Colombia's administration of justice
are set out in Law 270 of March 7, 1996. Colombia's legal system has recently
begun to incorporate some elements of an oral, accusatorial system. The judicial
branch's general structure is composed of four distinct jurisdictions (civilian,
administrative, constitutional, and special). Colombia's highest judicial organs
include the Supreme Court, the Council of State, the Constitutional Court, and
the Superior Judicial Council. This sometimes leads to conflicting opinions
since there is no one court which clearly has authority over the decisions of
the other three.
Principal Government Officials Colombia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2118 Leroy Place NW,
Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-387-8338). Consulates are located in Atlanta,
Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San
Francisco, San Juan, and Washington.
DEFENSE Narcotics decertification in 1996 forced a temporary halt to U.S. military
assistance programs, except for those related to counternarcotics. On August 1,
1997, the U.S. and Colombia signed an End Use Monitoring (EUM) memorandum of
understanding which stipulated that U.S. counternarcotics assistance to the
Colombian military be conditioned on human rights screening of proposed
recipient units. Once equipment is provided, it continues to be subject to
end-use monitoring to ensure it is being used for counternarcotics purposes.
U.S. assistance to Colombian military and police forces is provided strictly
in accordance with Section 564 of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act
(Public Law 106-113) and with Section 8098 of Department of Defense
Appropriations Act Public Law 106-79). No assistance is provided to any unit of
the security forces for which the U.S. Government has credible evidence of
commission of gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary of State is
able to certify that the Government of Colombia has taken effective measures to
bring those responsible to justice. End-use monitoring also is required in these
cases.
ECONOMY Until 1997, Colombia had enjoyed a fairly stable economy. The first 5 years
of liberalization were characterized by high economic growth rates of between 4%
and 5%. The Samper administration (1994-98) emphasized social welfare policies
which targeted Colombia's lower income population. However, these reforms led to
higher government spending which increased the fiscal deficit and public sector
debt, the financing of which required higher interest rates. An over-valued peso
inherited from the previous administration was maintained.
The economy slowed, and by 1998 GDP growth was only 0.6%. In 1999, the
country fell into its first recession since the Great Depression. The economy
shrank by 4.5% with unemployment at over 20%. While unemployment remained at 20%
in 2000, GDP growth recovered to 3.1%.
The administration of President Andres Pastrana, when it took office on
August 7, 1998, faced an economy in crisis, with the difficult internal security
situation and global economic turbulence additionally inhibiting confidence. As
evidence of a serious recession became clear in 1999, the government took a
number of steps. It engaged in a series of controlled devaluations of the peso,
followed by a decision to let it float. Colombia also entered into an agreement
with the International Monetary Fund which provided a $2.7 billion guarantee
(extended funds facility), while committing the government to budget discipline
and structural reforms.
By early 2000 there had been the beginning of an economic recovery, with the
export sector leading the way, as it enjoyed the benefit of the more competitive
exchange rate, as well as strong prices for petroleum, Colombia's leading export
product. Prices of coffee, the other principal export product, have been more
variable.
Economic growth reached 3.1 % during 2000 and inflation was 9.0% although
unemployment has yet to significantly improve. Colombia's international reserves
have remained stable at around $8.35 billion, and Colombia has successfully
remained in international capital markets. Colombia's total foreign debt at the
end of 1999 was $34.5 billion with $14.7 billion in private sector and $19.8
billion in public sector debt. Major international credit rating organizations
have dropped Colombian sovereign debt below investment grade, primarily as a
result of large fiscal deficits, which current policies are seeking to close.
Mining and Energy The discovery of two billion barrels of high-quality oil at the Cusiana and
Cupiagua fields, about 125 miles east of Bogota, has enabled Colombia to become
a net oil exporter since 1986. Total crude oil production averages 620,000 b/d;
about 184,000 b/d is exported. The Pastrana government has significantly
liberalized its petroleum investment policies, leading to an increase in
exploration activity. Refining capacity cannot satisfy domestic demand, so some
refined products, especially gasoline, must be imported. Plans for the
construction of a new refinery are under development.
The oil pipelines are a frequent target of extortion and bombing campaigns by
the ELN and, more recently, the FARC. The bombings, which occur on average once
every 5 days, have caused substantial environmental damage, often in fragile
rainforests and jungles, as well as causing significant loss of life.
Colombia has 6.6 billion tons of proven coal reserves, and its coal
production totaled 21.7 million metric tons (mt) in 1995. Production from El
Cerrejon--the world's largest open-pit coal mine--located on Colombia's Guajira
Peninsula, accounted for 65% of that amount. Colombia's exports of 18.4 million
mt of steam coal in 1994 made it the world's fourth-largest exporter of this
commodity. Private and public investments in Colombia's coal fields and related
infrastructure projects are expected to enable the country's exports to grow to
about 35 million mt.
While Colombia has vast hydroelectric potential, a prolonged drought in 1992
forced severe electricity rationing throughout the country until mid-1993. The
consequences of the drought on electricity-generating capacity caused the
government to commission the construction or upgrading of 10 thermoelectric
power plants. Half will be coal-fired, and half will be fired by natural gas.
The government also has begun awarding bids for the construction of a natural
gas pipeline system that will extend from the country's extensive gas fields to
its major population centers. Plans call for this project to make natural gas
available to millions of Colombian households by the middle of the next decade.
Trade The United States remained Colombia's major trading partner in 1999, taking
48.5% of exports and providing 42.1% of imports. The EU and Japan also are
important trading partners, as are Andean Pact countries.
Foreign Investment Major foreign investment projects underway include the $6 billion development
of the Cusiana and Cupiagua oil fields, development of coal fields in the north
of the country, and the recently concluded licensing for establishment of
cellular telephone service. The United States accounted for 26.5% of the total
$19.4 billion stock of nonpetroleum foreign direct investment in Colombia at the
end of 1998.
On October 21, 1995, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(IEEPA), President Clinton signed an Executive Order barring U.S. entities from
any commercial or financial transactions with four Colombian drug kingpins and
with individuals and companies associated with the traffic in narcotics, as
designated by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary
of State and the Attorney General. The list of designated individuals and
companies is amended periodically and is maintained by the Office of Foreign
Asset Control at the Department of the Treasury, tel. (202) 622-0077 (ask for
Document #1900). The document also is available at the Department of Treasury
web site www.ustreas.gov.
Industry and Agriculture Cacao, sugarcane, coconuts, bananas, plantains, rice, cotton, tobacco,
cassava, and most of the nation's beef cattle are produced in the hot regions
from sea level to 1,000 meters elevation. The temperate regions--between 1,000
and 2,000 meters--are better suited for coffee; certain flowers; corn and other
vegetables; and fruits such as citrus, pears, pineapples, and tomatoes. The
cooler elevations--between 2,000 and 3,000 meter--produce wheat, barley,
potatoes, cold-climate vegetables, flowers, dairy cattle, and poultry.
Narcotics Cultivation and Control Despite the death of Medellin cartel drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in 1993 and
the arrests of major Cali cartel leaders in 1995 and 1996, Colombian drug
cartels remain among the most sophisticated criminal organizations in the world,
controlling cocaine processing, international wholesale distribution chains, and
markets. In 1999 Colombian police arrested over 30 narcotraffickers, most of
them extraditable, in "Operation Millennium" involving extensive
international cooperation. More arrests were made in a following "Operation
Millennium II."
Colombia is engaged in a broad range of narcotics control activities. Through
aerial spraying of herbicide and manual eradication, Colombia has attempted to
keep coca, opium poppy, and cannabis cultivation from expanding. The government
has committed itself to the eradication of all illicit crops, interdiction of
drug shipments, and financial controls to prevent money laundering. Alternative
development programs were introduced in 1999.
Corruption and intimidation by traffickers complicate the drug-control
efforts of the institutions of government. Colombia passed revised criminal
procedures code in 1993 that permits traffickers to surrender and negotiate
lenient sentences in return for cooperating with prosecutors. In December 1996
and February 1997, however, the Colombian Congress passed legislation to toughen
sentencing, asset forfeiture, and money-laundering penalties.
In November 1997, the Colombian Congress amended the constitution to permit
the extradition of Colombian nationals, albeit not retroactively. In late 1999,
President Pastrana authorized the first extradition in almost 10 years of a
Colombian trafficker to stand trial for U.S. crimes. Three such extraditions to
the United States have taken place, the most recent in August 2000, with cases
against others pending in Colombian courts.
FOREIGN RELATIONS Colombia has traditionally played an active role in the United Nations and
the Organization of American States and in their subsidiary agencies. Former
President Gaviria became Secretary General of the OAS in September 1994 and was
reelected in 1999. Colombia was a participant in the December 1994 and April
1998 Summits of the Americas and followed up on initiatives developed at the
summit by hosting two post-summit, ministerial-level meetings on trade and
science and technology.
Colombia regularly participates in international fora, including CICAD, the
Organization of American States' body on money laundering, chemical controls,
and drug abuse prevention. Although the Colombian Government ratified the 1988
UN Convention on Narcotics in 1994--the last of the Andean governments to do
so--it took important reservations, notably to the anti-money-laundering
measures, asset forfeiture and confiscation provisions, maritime interdiction,
and extradition clauses. Colombia subsequently withdrew some of its
reservations, most notably a reservation on extradition.
U.S.-COLOMBIAN RELATIONS Despite the strain which decertification and related issues placed on
bilateral relations during the Samper administration, the U.S. and Colombian
Governments continued to cooperate and consult. In 1995-96, the U.S. and
Colombia signed important agreements on environmental protection and civil
aviation. The two countries have signed agreements on asset sharing and chemical
control. In 1997, the U.S. and Colombia signed an important maritime
shipboarding agreement to allow for search of suspected drug-running vessels.
During the period 1988-96, the United States provided about $765 million in
assistance to Colombia. In 1999, U.S. assistance exceeded $200 million. This
funding supported Colombia's counternarcotics efforts, such as arresting drug
traffickers, seizing drugs and illegal processing facilities, and eradicating
coca and opium poppy.
Under the Pastrana administration, relations with the United States have
improved significantly. The United States responded to the Colombian
Government's request for international support to Plan Colombia by approving a
$1.3 billion aid package in July 2000, in addition to previously programmed
assistance of nearly $300 million for FY 2000. U.S. programs are a combination
of military and police assistance to increase counternarcotics capabilities and
also includes a package of nearly $230 million for human rights, humanitarian
assistance, alternative development, and economic and judicial reforms. These
programs are an integral component of our support for Plan Colombia's overall
goals.
Trade Development The petroleum and natural gas coal mining, chemical, and manufacturing
industries attract the greatest U.S. investment interest. U.S. investment
accounted for 37.8% ($4.2 billion) of the total $11.2 billion in foreign direct
investment at the end of 1997, excluding petroleum and portfolio investment.
Worker rights and benefits in the U.S.-dominated sectors are more favorable than
general working conditions. Examples include shorter-than-average working hours,
higher wages, and compliance with health and safety standards above the national
average.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials The U.S. Embassy is located at Calle 22D Bis, No. 47-51, Bogota (tel: (571)
315-0811; fax: (571) 315-2196). The mailing address is APO AA 34038. Internet:
http://www.usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1 (note: co number ONE and not co letter
L).
The U.S. Consular Agency in Baranquilla is located at Calle 77, No. 68-15
(tel: (575) 353-0970 or 0974; fax: (575) 353-5216).
Other Contact Information Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce Calle 98, @2264, Oficina 1209 Apartado
Aereo 8008Bogota, Colombia (tel: (571) 621-5042/7925/6838, fax: (571) 612-6838,
email: 73050.3127@compuserve.com) Chapters in Cali, Cartagena, Medellin
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000. Passport information can be obtained by calling the National Passport Information Center's automated system ($.35 per minute) or live operators 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday ($1.05 per minute). The number is 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778). Major credit card users (for a flat rate of $4.95) may call 1-888-362-8668 (TDD: 1-888-498-3648). It also is available on the internet. Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800. Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this publication). U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register at the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country (see "Principal U.S. Embassy Officials" listing in this publication). This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency. |
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