Colombia

Situated in the Northwest of South America, Colombia was inhibited by indigenous tribes until the arrival of Spanish colonizers in 1499. In 1819 Colombia gained independence from Spain and experimented with several forms of government before settling on a republic in 1886. Since the 1960’s the country has experienced continued low-level warfare in the provincial areas with rebel groups including FARC and ELN. This warfare reached its peak in the 1990’s and resulted in widespread emigration out of Colombia. This warfare was often fueled by the illicit production of opium and cocaine. Criminal syndicates alternated between fighting with and fighting against the rebel groups and the security situation deteriorated. Since 2002 the security and economic situation has drastically improved. Today, Colombia is on an upward trajectory and expected to continue to make economic gains. 

Social

Overview: With a population of 45 million, Colombia is the third most populous nation in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico. The people of Colombia are diverse with the three prominent ethnic groups being Amerindians, European Immigrants, and former African Slaves. The groups have intermingled resulting in a rich mixture of culture. Since the 1960’s Colombia has experienced huge waves of immigration as a result of political and criminal violence. It is estimated that 5.2 million Colombians have emigrated since 1985.

Demographics:

• 0-14 years of age – 25.3%
• 15-24 years of age – 18%
• 25-54 years of age – 41.6%
• 55-64 years of age – 8.3%
• 65 and older – 6.7%
• Roman Catholic – 90%
• Other - 10%
• Mestizo – 66%
• White – 20%
• Afro Colombian – 10.6%
• Amerindian – 3.4%

​Trends: Colombians are starting to return to the country as the security and economic situation has improved. The return of many Colombians has improved the economic situation in Colombia and the country is on an upward trajectory. Birth rate has also been drastically cut in the past 50 years due to an increase in urbanization and education. 

Economic

Economic System: The free market economy of Colombia has grown to the third largest in Latin America and 31st largest in the world. Colombia’s economy is heavily based on the exportation of energy and mining exports. Since 2000, Colombia has experienced an economic boom. Its solid economic policies and free trade agreements have spurred growth. Meanwhile, the upgrade of its credit rating to Investment Grade status has meant an influx of foreign investment. Colombia is grouped with other countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and South Africa as a nations with a high probability for continued growth in the following decades.

Economic Trends: Colombia has recently experienced an enormous wave of economic growth. Since 2000 Foreign Direct Investment has increased fivefold and exports have increased fourfold. For the past four years Colombia’s GDP has grown 4% annually. The nation has become a major source of foreign investment and is expected to complete Free Trade Agreements with 49 countries by 2015. Meanwhile, Colombia has cut its poverty rate from 65% in 1990 to 30% in 2013. Tourism continues to steadily grow in Colombia while any peace agreement reached between the government and the rebel group FARC is expected to boost Colombia’s overall economy by 2%.
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Economic Resources: Oil, shipbuilding, IT, electronics, tourism, food processing, clothing, beverages, chemicals, cement, gold, coal, emeralds, textiles

Political

Political Groups: Colombia has seven primary political groups and numerous smaller factions. The major seven include:

• Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA)
• Conservative Party (PC)
• Democratic Center Party  (CD)
• Green Party
• Liberty Party (PL)
• National Integration Party (PIN)
• Social National Unity Party (U Party)

​Political System: Colombia is a republic dominated by the executive branch. The president is elected by popular vote to serve a four-year term. The president can serve up to two terms and operates as both chief of state and head of the government. Under the president is a bicameral Congress made up of the Senate and Chamber of Representatives. Both senators and members of the Chamber of Representatives are elected to four-year terms. The judicial branch consists of seven judges appointed by the president for life long terms and approved by Congress.

Political Conflicts: Since the mid 1960’s a low intensity conflict has simmered in Colombia. The Colombian government faces opposition, often in periphery areas, from rebel groups such as FARC and ELN. Paramilitary groups have also joined the fight ostensibly to protect local populaces from the rebel groups. Both the rebel groups and paramilitary outfits have been known to work with drug trafficking criminal syndicates. Since 2012 FARC and the Colombian government have been holding peace talks in Havana.

Allies: United States (supporting Colombian government) Adversaries: 
FARC, ELN, Criminal Syndicates 

Military, Intelligence & Law Enforcement 

Branches:

• National Army
• Republic of Colombia Navy
• Colombian Air Force

Reach: Due to heavy American funding and compulsory military service, the Colombian army is one of the largest and advanced armies in Latin America. Still, the Colombian military has focused on domestic operations and has struggled to neutralize rebel groups and criminal syndicates. Although there has been advances in recent years to the point where rebel groups will rarely engage the army, the Colombian military has failed to completely dismantle rebels.

Allies: United States 
Adversaries: FARC, ELN, Criminal Syndicates

Terrorist & Criminal Groups

• FARC (Rebel Group)
• ELN (Rebel Group)
• Rastrojos (Criminal Syndicate)
• ERPAC (Criminal Syndicate)
• Paises (Criminal Syndicate)
• Oficina de Envigado (Criminal Syndicate)
• Urabenos (Criminal Syndicate) 

Information

Freedom of the press: Officially, the Colombian Constitution of 1991 guarantees freedom of the press. However, Colombia has a history spotted with attacks on press members and institutions reporting on sensitive subjects such as political corruption and criminal syndicate activity. Still, the journalistic freedom of has drastically improved over the past 15 years. Reports can write much more openly than today than in other times in Colombia’s history. Despite this journalists often practice self-censorship in response to threats and the perception that they can be attacked for their reporting.

Media institutions: Media institutions in Colombia are primarily controlled by a small group of private investors. Television is the dominant medium for news in Colombia and is all in private hands except for three station’s run by the government. The media institutions are free but rely heavily on government sponsored advertising for revenue. Thus there is the perception that the government, journalists, and owners are in collusion to restrict the press. 

Infastructure

Roads: Extensive road network that various according to location. Cities have excellent road infrastructure but heavy passes. Mountainous roads are winding and can be treacherous. Jungle roads are often unpaved and unofficial.

Railways: Not used for transportation. Only one train between Bogota and Zipaquira.

Maritime: Heavy maritime activity because of Colombia’s is located on the Atlantic, and the Pacific. The River Magdalena serves as a major shipping channel for vessels.

Power: Reliable in the cities. Less so in rural areas but a nation with extensive access to power.

Internet: Reliable and easily found in major cities. Tough to locate and poor connection in smaller urban cities and rural areas.

​Phone: Most people have cell phones and the network is extremely modern and reliable. The top providers are Movistar, Tigo, and Claro. 

Country Trajectory: Analysis
Colombia is a nation on a rapid ascent. The security and economic situation has steadily improved over the past 15 years and the nation is thriving. Tourism has returned and the economy is expected to continue its growth. The government and rebel groups are in peace talks and drug production has decreased annually over the past five years.