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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.

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By Cstine
July 7th 2008

Estoy Enamorado

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

christine 028

I am in love with Antioquia. Ok, first I will begin with Friday. Friday was mine and Sascha's first day teaching by ourselves. We taught the older kids in the morning, organized and planned our behinds off, and then we each had really long one on one lessons in the afternoon. I worked with Luisa, who is a wonderfully kind and cooperative 13 year-old with striking green eyes that you cannot help but get drawn into. During this lesson, I would say that Luisa taught me as much Spanish as I taught her English, and we developed a trust and a [View Full Entry]

By Pitxones
June 12th 2008

Colombia

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

Epa danoi, Colombiatik, Cartagenan lurreratu eta bertan herrialde ikusgarri eta zoragarri hontaz gozatu dugu. Bidaian ikusi ditudan emakumerik ederrenak, jende irekiena eta desfaserik handiena topatu dugu bertan. Gure hostala, kale jendetxu eta bizi batean zegoen, gamelu eta pertsonaiaz beteta. Juerga ederra egin genuen aspaldiko partez... Cartagenatik Medellinera joan ginen autobusean, heldu eta terminal ondoko errekan... gizon bat hilda aurkitu genuelarik!!! eskuak atzekaldean lotuta errekara bota zuten... Lehen impresio gogorra Kolombiako hiri famatu hontakoa, Pablo Escobarren got [View Full Entry]

By MRJ SthAmericanAdventures
November 4th 2007

HOME TOWN OF PABLO ESCOBAR AND DANCING MIDGETS

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

MEDELLIN
Random guitar playing in the middle of Medellin

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 north. It seemed today that the hills were even greener, steeper and more magical then I had seen before in Colombia. By this time my patience for taking long bus rides was waining and with 2 hours to go to Medellin I couldn't sit still in my seat, so when we did arrive on the city outskirts I was pretty damned happy. Medellin is [View Full Entry]

By caliphil007
October 4th 2007

Guatape and El Penol

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

Group Photo
Photo with our Colombian and French Friends we met the other night.

The following day we took a bus to a small town outside of Medellin called Guatape. It was about 1.5 hour ride long. Guatape is a lake community with beautiful homes, small farms and big rock call El Penol, which is a 200 feet and it stands out. Guatape was once a home for Pablo Escobar and his whole Medellin Cartel. After Pablo Escobars death, the FARC spread their operations into this area. Later on the Colombian government sent troops to drive the FARC and the rest guerrilla forces back to the dense forest. There are soldiers around to keep the [View Full Entry]

By MickB
May 28th 2007

Guatape

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

church in main square

Guatape South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape By MickB May 28th 2007. [View Full Entry]

By Saladin
April 23rd 2007

Present location

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

Where I started Antonio Martinez-VasquezIt's Monday and I've in beautiful Medellin, Colombia for about five days. It's changed alot since I was last here in 2000. But the changes are extremely positive. There's a good likelihood of leaving tonight or tomorrow for Panama City. I started an impromptu import/export business: in order to finance my travels. During the past two years, I've been to Trinidad, Peru(it stinks) Equador(three steps up from Peru) Nicaragua(quite different from 1978-80) all throughout Central America. But th [View Full Entry]

By Juanes
March 10th 2007

La Piedra Del Penol

South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape

La Piedra In full glory from car park
the 200 metre granite piece of rock set amongst a vast array of lakes and mountains

La Piedra Del Penol South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape By Juanes March 10th 2007 Jason Burnetttwo day visit to the amazing lake district about 2 or 3 hours north of medellin deep in Antioquia which is a department in Colombia roughly the [View Full Entry]

Shade & Sun at the Guatape Lake District

Travel Blog » South America » Colombia » Medellin » Guatape