| Overview | |
| (US Embassy) Colombia is the longest and most stable democracy in South America, the fifth largest country in the region and has enjoyed five years of consistent economic growth thanks to the Democratic Security Policy. In 2007, the nation's economy grew by 7.52%; among the highest rates in Latin America and five times Colombia's economic growth rate in 2002. Since 2002, Colombia has experienced an unprecedented period of economic expansion, social stability and relative peace. Through a series of bold reforms, the government has fostered growth of the Colombian economy, increased government transparency, investment in social welfare programs and a significant reduction of the level of violence in the country. This is the New Colombia. Plan Colombia was created in 1999 as the main subject of the government's peace policy. In the beginning, it was conceived as a special plan for areas affected by conflict. It is an alternative development program to increase substitution of coca crops and help displaced people. All of this combines with a peace policy, civic coexistence, and all the strategies generated by the struggle against drugs. Capital: Bogotá Area: 1,138,910 km² Population: 44. million (2007 July) Language(s): Spanish. Religion(s): Roman Catholic - 90%, others - 10%. | |
| History | |
| During the pre-Colombian period, the area now known as Colombia was inhabited by indigenous societies situated at different stages of socio-economic development, ranging from hunters and nomadic farmers to the highly structured Chibchas, who are considered to be one of the most developed indigenous groups in South America. Santa Marta was the first permanent Spanish settlement founded in 1525. Santa Fe de Bogota was founded in 1538 and, in 1717, became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which included what are now Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Bogota was one of three principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World. On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Full independence was proclaimed in 1813, and in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed to include all the territory of the former Viceroyalty (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama). Simon Bolivar was elected its first president with Francisco de Paula Santander as vice president. Conflicts between followers of Bolivar and Santander led to the formation of two political parties that have since dominated Colombian politics. Bolivar's supporters, who later formed the nucleus of the Conservative Party, sought strong centralized government, alliance with the Roman Catholic Church and a limited franchise. Santander's followers, forerunners of the Liberals, wanted a decentralized government, state control over education and other civil matters, and a broader suffrage. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, each party held the presidency for roughly equal periods of time. Colombia maintained a tradition of civilian government and regular, free, elections. Notwithstanding the country's commitment to democratic institutions, Colombia's history also has been characterized by widespread, violent conflict. Two civil wars resulted from bitter rivalry between the Conservative and Liberal parties: The War of a Thousand Days (1899-1903) claimed an estimated 100,000 lives and La Violencia ("The Violence") (1946-1957) claimed about 300,000 lives. A new constitution in 1991 brought about major reforms to Colombia's political institutions. While the new constitution preserved a presidential, three-branch system of government, it created new institutions such as the Inspector General, a Human Rights Ombudsman, a Constitutional Court and a Superior Judicial Council. The new constitution also reestablished the position of Vice President. Other significant constitutional reforms provide for civil divorce, dual nationality and the establishment of a legal mechanism ("Tutela") that allows individuals to appeal government decisions affecting their constitutional rights. The constitution also authorized the introduction of an accusatory system of criminal justice that is gradually being instituted throughout the country, replacing the previous written inquisitorial system. A constitutional amendment approved in 2005 allows the president to hold office for two consecutive 4-year terms. The administration of Andres Pastrana (1998-2002), a Conservative, faced increased countrywide attacks by the FARC and ELN, widespread drug production and the expansion of paramilitary groups. The Pastrana administration unveiled its "Plan Colombia" in 1999 as a strategy to deal with these longstanding problems, and sought support from the international community. Plan Colombia is a comprehensive program to combat narco-terrorism; spur economic recovery; strengthen democratic institutions and respect for human rights; and provide humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons. Alvaro Uribe, an independent, was elected president in May 2002 on a platform to restore security to the country. Among his promises was to continue to pursue the broad goals of Plan Colombia within the framework of a long-term security strategy. In the fall of 2002, Uribe released a national security strategy that employed political, economic and military means to weaken all illegal narco-terrorist groups. The Uribe government offered to negotiate a peace agreement with these groups with the condition that they agree to a unilateral cease fire and to end drug trafficking and kidnapping. In December 2003, the Colombian United Self-Defense Forces (AUC) paramilitary group entered into a peace agreement with the government that has led to the collective demobilization of over 31,000 AUC members. In addition, nearly 14,000 members of the FARC, AUC, ELN, and other illegal armed groups have individually surrendered their arms. In July 2005, President Uribe signed the Justice and Peace Law, which provides reduced punishments for the demobilized if they renounce violence and return illegal assets, which are to provide reparations to victims. As a result of the government's military and police operations, the strength of the FARC has been reduced in all urban areas and mostly limited to the most remote areas of the country. Since 2000, the FARC has not carried out large-scale multi-front attacks, although it has mounted some operations that indicate it has not yet been broken. In 2004, the Uribe government established, for the first time in recent Colombian history, a government presence in all of the country's 1,099 municipalities (county seats). Attacks conducted by illegally armed groups against rural towns decreased by 91% from 2002 to 2005. Between 2002 and 2007, Colombia saw a decrease in homicides by 37%, kidnappings by 78%, terrorist attacks by 63%, and attacks on the country's infrastructure by 60%. Although much attention has been focused on the security aspects of Colombia's situation, the Uribe government also is making significant efforts on issues such as expanding international trade, supporting alternate means of development, reforming Colombia's judicial system, and reducing poverty. President Uribe was reelected with 62% of the vote in May 2006. In congressional elections in March 2006, the three leading pro-Uribe parties (National Unity, Conservative Party, and Radical Change) won clear majorities in both houses of Congress. In late 2006, the Supreme Court began investigations and ordered the arrest of some members of Congress for actions on behalf of paramilitary groups. Those investigations continue into 2008. In January 2007, Colombian leaders presented a new strategy to consolidate and build a progressive program under Plan Colombia, called the "Strategy to Strengthen Democracy and Social Development." The new strategy continues successful Plan Colombia programs while increasing state presence by improving access to social services, and supporting economic development through sustainable growth and trade. | |
| Economy | |
| Colombia is a free market economy with major commercial and investment ties to the United States. Transition from a highly regulated economy has been underway for more than 15 years with tariff reductions, financial deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises and adoption of a more liberal foreign exchange rate. These policies eased import restrictions and opened most sectors to foreign investment. Foreign investors are welcomed as technology, management expertise, access to overseas markets, and finance, can be brought to the market. Colombia's economy is heavily dependent upon its natural resources. Main exports include its well known coffee, petroleum and petroleum products, emeralds, fruits, flowers, iron and steel, textiles and apparel. Colombia has not suffered any dramatic economic collapses. Prudent fiscal policies are maintained and economic reforms including tax, pension and budget reforms are pursued. The sustained growth of the Colombian economy can be attributed to an increase in domestic security, the policies of keeping inflation low and maintaining a stable currency (the Colombian peso), petroleum price increases and an increase in exports to neighboring countries and the United States as a result of trade liberalization. Free trade negotiations between Canada and Colombia are underway and once agreed upon, is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and boost already strong two-way trade. Economic summary: (www.infoplease.com) GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $320 billion; per capita $6,700. Real growth rate: 7%. Inflation: 5.5%. Unemployment: 11.2%. Arable land: 2%. Agriculture: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp. Labor force: 20.8 million (2006); agriculture 22.7%, industry 18.7%, services 58.5% (2000 est.). Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower. Exports: $24 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers. Imports: $24 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity. Major trading partners: U.S., Venezuela, Ecuador, China, Mexico, Brazil (2004). | |
| Government | |
| Type: Republic. Independence: July 20, 1810. Constitution: July 1991. Branches: Executive--President (chief of state and head of government). Legislative--Bicameral Congress. Judicial--Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Council of State, Superior Judicial Council. Administrative divisions: 32 departments; Bogota, capital district. Major political parties: Conservative Party of Colombia, Liberal, National Unity, Radical Change, Alternative Democratic Pole, and numerous small political movements. Suffrage: Universal, age 18 and over. Principal Government Officials President--Alvaro URIBE Velez Vice President--Francisco SANTOS Calderon Minister of Foreign Affairs--Fernando ARAUJO Perdomo Minister of Defense--Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon Minister of Mines and Energy -- Hernan Martinez Torres Ambassador to the United Nations -- Claudia BLUM de Barbe | |