The transformation of Colombia

Decades of armed conflict and drug-related violence have given Colombia a reputation as one of the most dangerous places on earth.

But the country has witnessed a dramatic turn around, and improved security caused The New York Times to recently recommend Colombia as one of the places to visit in 2010.

Now Colombians must decide whether to allow the man who has overseen this remarkable transformation to compete for another presidential term. Because although hailed as a saviour by many, some fear his power is becoming too great.

A history of violence

In 1830 a country comprising modern-day Colombia and Panama had emerged from centuries of Spanish colonial rule.

Two political parties – the Conservatives and the Liberals - jostled for power through a series of civil wars which stretched across generations. To put a stop to the bloodshed, leaders of both parties signed an agreement in 1957 to share power for the next 16 years.

This agreement banned political parties other than the Conservatives and Liberals, which forced opposition groups outside the official political system.

When the Government dropped napalm on areas that had been overtaken by Communist opposition, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group was formed to fight back. The Farc’s insurgency tactics include kidnapping, bombings and murder.

Landowners funded armed paramilitary groups to protect themselves. These paramilitary groups employed brutal tactics, often murdering civilians suspected of supporting the guerrillas.

Chiquita, the famous fruit company, funded three groups (including the Farc) for protection of their employees, and now faces possibly the largest terrorist law suit in history by the victims’ families for funding terrorism.

Cocaine nation

With Colombia being the world’s biggest supplier of cocaine, both the Farc and paramilitary groups have turned to trafficking as a source of income. In many cases this activity has overtaken their original political aims.

But cocaine has also fuelled the country’s violence.

In the 1980s the power of the drug cartels was epitomised by Pablo Escobar. As head of the Medellin Cartel, Escobar’s personal fortune was estimated to be over US$20 billion, and Forbes Magazine named him the seventh richest person in the world.

Under US pressure, the government launched a campaign against the cartels, who responded by bombing public places and murdering high-profile politicians and judges.

In exchange for immunity from prosecution the cartels offered to pay off Colombia’s entire foreign debt (US$13 billion). The offer was refused, and the violence increased.

A tough approach

In 2002, voters elected Alvaro Uribe president. Uribe (whose own father had been killed by the Farc) refused to negotiate with the guerrilla groups.

Instead, he launched a relentless military campaign against them, while at the same time offering lenient sentences to any who wished to give themselves up.

It’s an approach that has proved very successful.

From 2002 to 2008 murder rates fell by 40%, and the everyday lives of Colombians benefited from improved security. The gains have been so great that backpackers are arriving in droves, with The Lonely Planet now declaring the country “safe.”

Because of this success Uribe enjoys widespread support. But his presidency has not been without controversy.

Controversies

More than 70 congressmen have been investigated for alleged links to paramilitary groups that have murdered civilians. Almost all are supporters of Uribe.

The military has been stung by the “false positives” scandal, where soldiers have killed civilians and then dressed them up to look like guerrillas or drug-traffickers. This is done to show results and ensure promotion.

Uribe is a staunch US ally in a region wary of US interference. Plans for an agreement to allow US troops greater access to military bases have created tensions with neighbours, particularly Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez who fears the US wants to regain control of his country’s oil.

A third term?

Uribe won re-election in 2006 with the benefit of a constitutional amendment that allowed him to stand again. Now there is a push to amend the constitution once more to allow Uribe a third term as president.

It appears likely that Colombians will vote on such an amendment in a national referendum. Uribe himself has not committed to standing in the May elections, but has not ruled the possibility out either.

Opponents argue that a third term would further weaken institutions, like the courts, which provide a crucial counterbalance to the president’s power. They believe that Uribe’s power threatens Colombia’s democracy.

However, polls indicate most Colombians favour a third term.

Uribe is seen as the only politician able to maintain the country’s improving security. And for the majority of Colombians, concerns about a return to lawlessness outweigh any others.

By Nick Jones

Photo – El Penol, Colombia.