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.
March 26th 2008South America » Colombia » Salento Quito to Salento was a long journey that involved an overnight stay in Cali. I had to change flights in Bogota and the connection was delayed. On arrival at my hostel in Cali I found out that it was s ... [full story]
November 1st 2007South America » Colombia » Salento After taking off from the Leticia airport we were bound for Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Sharyn and I had both wanted window seats that would allow us some good views from the air over the jungle ... 15 photos[full story]
September 22nd 2007South America » Colombia » Salento After a bus journey that was 5 hours more than scheduled we make it to the coffee zone of Colombia.
The town is typically small, with a nice square (Colonial of course), a few police men lazily leani ... 14 photos[full story]
June 22nd 2007South America » Colombia » Salento Salento is a quaint little town with a central plaza and really nicly done up roads. All the buildings are kept in the old style and we stayed at a hostel that Patty had stayed at 2 years previously. ... 7 photos[full story]
Map of Colombia
Colombia's Flag
