Colombia: A Guide to the People, Politics and CultureOne in ten of the world's murders takes place in Colombia. Since the 1950s, the country has been the scene of civil war, protracted guerrilla insurgencies and massive human rights violations. Its notorious drug cartels have become synonymous with ruthlessness and ill-gotten wealth. But Colombia is also one of Latin America's economic success stories, the only country in the region to escape the 1980s debt crisis. With its strong economy, stable two-party political system and sophisticated cultural life, Colombia presents complex and contradictory faces to the outside world. Colombia In Focus us an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this fascinating country. It explores: * The history: conflict, regional rivalry and how Colombia descended into La Violencia * The politics: Liberals and Conservatives; the guerrillas; the birth of the 'narcodemocracy' * The society: human rights and violence; the impact of the drug cartels; indigenous communities and Afro-Colombians * The culture: Gargia M rquez and the land of magical realism; salsa and cumbia; sculptors and footballers. Colombia In Focus is the fifth in a series of guides, covering the countries of South and Central America and the Caribbean. |
Contents
Introduction | 5 |
Guerrillas and Drugs | 27 |
The Cali Cartel | 34 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
administration Andrés Pastrana Arango Antanas Mockus Antioquia areas assassination Barranquilla became Betancur Bogotá boom bosses Cali cartel campaign capital Caquetá Caribbean coast Cartagena Cauca cent centre century César Gaviria coca cocaine coffee Colombia Conservative constitution Cordillera country's CRUZ The University developed drug money drug traffickers economy elected Ernesto Samper Pizano exports FARC frontier Gabriel García Márquez Gaitán García Márquez Greiff groups growers Guambiano guerrillas highlands human rights Indians industry José jungles La Violencia Latin America leaders Liberal llanos London Magdalena Medio Medellín cartel military million minister Mockus Morrison/South American Pictures murdered Nevada de Santa organisations Pablo Escobar Pacific paramilitary peace police politician Popayán poppy population president presidential recent region Rodríguez Orejuela Sabana San Andrés SANTA CRUZ Santa Marta Santodomingo social society Spanish Tony Morrison/South American towns University Library UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA/SANTA Urabá vallenato valley Violencia