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.
November 14th 2007South America » Colombia » Santa Marta » Taganga After a slow start Darragh, Sharyn and I made it to the bus station and onto a bus that was apparantly going directly to Santa Marta, about 4 hours north of Cartagena. It didn't take long for all of ... 11 photos[full story]
July 2nd 2007South America » Colombia » Santa Marta » Taganga We managed to find our way to Taganga, a small fishing viallage that is taken over by holidaymakers and tourists. Rather like when we lived in Taupo, you left home during the holiday season because i ... [full story]
Map of Colombia
Colombia's Flag
