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.
February 17th 2008South America » Colombia » Popayan As I still had not met Daniela (we had some problems communicating with each other, as my cell phone with the Movistar chip from Ecuador does not work here, and as she was in Tierradentro where there ... [full story]
February 15th 2008South America » Colombia » Popayan The journey from Pasto to Popayán led through beautiful landscape quite distinct from the regions I have seen so far in Ecuador. At times I felt like in Africa: the bus was filled almost entirely with ... 13 photos[full story]
January 22nd 2008South America » Colombia » Popayan My three month visa in colombia expires on thursday, and as of yet ive written nothing about this country. Im in the city of Popayan sort of in the south. Its another one of south americas white citie ... 8 photos[full story]
November 26th 2007South America » Colombia » Popayan Here are some photos of Donato taken just after he was born on Nov. 21st, 2007 here in Popayan, Colombia. ... 3 photos[full story]
June 14th 2007South America » Colombia » Popayan We had another crazy, 6 and a half hour bus ride to Popayan, through gorges, steep hills, winding road and bush, very nice scenery. The bus driver appeared to need to pass on blind corners as fast as ... 4 photos[full story]
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