The M was one of the parties that participated in the process to enact a new constitution see below , which took effect in The FARC ended the truce in after some 2,, of its members who had demobilized had been murdered.
A new constitution in 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 allows the president to hold office for two consecutive 4-year terms. Colombian governments have had to contend with the combined terrorist activities of left-wing guerrillas, the rise of paramilitary self-defense forces in the s and the drug cartels. Narco-terrorists assassinated three presidential candidates during the election campaign of After Colombian security forces killed Medellin cartel leader Pablo Escobar in December , indiscriminate acts of violence associated with his organization abated as the "cartels" were broken into multiple and smaller trafficking organizations that competed against each other in the drug trade.
Guerrillas and paramilitary groups also entered into drug trafficking as a way to finance their military operations. The Pastrana administration unveiled its "Plan Colombia" in 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.
In November , Pastrana ceded a sparsely populated area the size of Switzerland in south-central Colombia to the FARC's control to serve as a neutral zone where peace negotiations could take place. The FARC negotiated with the government only fitfully while continuing to mount attacks and expand coca production, seriously undermining the government's efforts to reach an agreement.
Negotiations with the rebels in and were marred by rebel attacks, kidnappings and fighting between rebels and paramilitaries for control of coca-growing areas in Colombia. In February , after the FARC hijacked a commercial aircraft and kidnapped a senator, Pastrana ordered the military to attack rebel positions and reassert control over the neutral zone.
FARC withdrew into the jungle and increased attacks against Colombia's infrastructure, while avoiding large-scale direct conflicts with the military. Uribe Administration Alvaro Uribe, an independent, was elected president in May 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 , 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 addition, over 10, members of the AUC and other illegal armed groups have individually surrendered their arms.
In July , 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. In December , the ELN began a new round of talks with the Colombian Government in Cuba that led to two more meetings, the latest one being held in July The dialogue is expected to continue. As a result of the government's military and police operations, the strength of the FARC has been reduced in major areas.
Since , 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. The FARC has rejected several government proposals aimed at bringing about an exchange of some 45 hostages. Their safe return is a priority goal of the United States and Colombia. Colombia maintains an excellent extradition relationship with the United States. The Uribe administration has extradited more than fugitives to the United States.
In , the Uribe government established, for the first time in recent Colombian history, a government presence in all of the country's 1, municipalities county seats. 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, and reforming Colombia's judicial system.
In congressional elections in March , the three leading pro-Uribe parties National Unity, Conservative Party, and Radical Change won clear majorities in both houses of Congress. In late , the Supreme Court began investigations and ordered the arrest of some members of Congress for actions on behalf of paramilitary groups. In January , Colombian leaders presented a new strategy to consolidate and build on progress under Plan Colombia, called the "Strategy to Strengthen Democracy and Social Development.
Colombia's Ministry of Defense is charged with the country's internal and external defense and security, and exercises jurisdiction over an army, navy--including marines and coast guard--air force, and national police under the leadership of a civilian Minister of Defense. Real spending on defense has increased every year since , but especially so under President Uribe.
The security forces number about , uniformed personnel: , military and , police. Many Colombian military personnel receive training in the United States or from U. The United States provides equipment to the Colombian military and police through the military assistance program, foreign military sales and the international narcotics control program.
Narcotics and Terrorism The U. The Colombian Government is committed to the eradication of all illicit crops, interdiction of illegal drug shipments and financial controls to prevent money laundering.
Between and , Colombian security forces interdicted metric tons of cocaine, coca base, and heroin. Terrorist groups in Colombia are actively engaged in narcotics production and trafficking. 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. In , the administration of President Cesar Gaviria initiated economic liberalization or "apertura," 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, although agricultural products remained protected. Unlike many of its neighboring countries, Colombia has not suffered any dramatic economic collapses. The Uribe administration seeks to maintain prudent fiscal policies and has pursued tough economic reforms including tax, pension and budget reforms. The unemployment rate in December was 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.
Signing a free trade agreement in November portends further opportunity for growth once it is approved by the legislatures of both countries and implemented. Industry and Agriculture The most industrially diverse member of the five-nation Andean Community, Colombia has four major industrial centers--Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla--each located in a distinct geographical region.
Colombia's industries include textiles and clothing, leather products, processed foods and beverages, paper and paper products, chemicals and petrochemicals, cement, construction, iron and steel products and metalworking.
Colombia's diverse climate and topography permit the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. In addition, all regions yield forest products, ranging from tropical hardwoods in the lowlands, to pine and eucalyptus in the colder areas.
Cacao, sugarcane, coconuts, bananas, plantains, rice, cotton, tobacco, cassava and most of the nation's beef cattle are produced in the hot regions from sea level to 1, meters elevation. The temperate regions--between 1, and 2, meters--are better suited for coffee, flowers, corn and other vegetables, pears, pineapples, and tomatoes.
The cooler elevations--between 2, and 3, meters--produce wheat, barley, potatoes, cold-climate vegetables, flowers, dairy cattle and poultry. Colombia's major exports are petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, and nontraditional exports e. Colombia has improved protection of intellectual property rights through the adoption of three Andean Pact decisions in and as well as an internal decree on data protection.
The United States remains concerned over deficiencies in licensing and copyright protection. Mining and Energy Colombia has considerable mineral and energy resources, especially coal and natural gas reserves.
New security measures and increased drilling activity have slowed the drop in petroleum production, allowing Colombia to continue to export through or , given current production estimates. In , gas reserves totaled 7, billion cubic feet. Gas production totaled million cubic feet per day. The country's current refining capacity is , barrels per day. Mining and energy related investments have grown because of higher oil prices, increased demand and improved output.
Colombia has significantly liberalized its petroleum sector, leading to an increase in exploration and production contracts from both large and small hydrocarbon industries. Colombia has proven recoverable coal reserves of about 7. Ferronickel production decreased from million pounds in to Colombia historically has been the world's leading producer of emeralds, although production has fallen in recent years. Colombia drug law change proposed. Ministry of National Defence.
Colombian embassy in US. Republic of Colombia Capital: Bogota. Image source, Getty Images. He was inaugurated a few days after his 42nd birthday. Image source, AFP. It expired in A treaty of friendship and commerce between the United States and New Granada present-day Colombia , still in force, was concluded in and proclaimed in Menu Menu. Colombia - Countries. Modern Flag of Colombia. Recognition U. Weird But True! Party Animals. Try This!
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