Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade, and also the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.
May 5th 2008South America » Colombia » Medellin So another big city, and to be honest I have started running out of energy for this traveling lark (finally). My theory is that to properly get a feel for a city you either need friends there or at le ... 16 photos[full story]
April 24th 2008South America » Colombia » Medellin MEDELLIN
Our 5 hour busride was not very comfortable, due to the blasting airconditioning. This must have pushed Yvonne over the edge towards her illnes (massive flue). She felt terrible upon arriv ... [full story]
April 24th 2008South America » Colombia » Medellin Early morning on the 17th of April we arrived at Pereira bus station. We were picked up by Rafael, Martha´s husband. First impression was that he was not a morning person. Probabaly did´t have enough ... 6 photos[full story]
November 4th 2007South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape After leaving Salento in the early hours we headed off towards the city of Medellin. Again yet another endless windy road was our path and again we were witness to amazing scenery as we made our way ... 17 photos[full story]
November 13th 2007South America » Colombia » Medellin Alors apres les tres hautes altitudes, nous voila seulement a 1550 m d altitude a Medellin. Content d etre ici car ville assez mythique quand meme. La ville est plutot chouette, je la prefere a Bogota ... 26 photos[full story]
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