Enough! Accounting and Remembering the Long War in Colombia

[Bacchus4.0]

4. started by Pres. Pastrana of Colombia and Clinton

It focused on drugs production and combating the left wing guerrillas. Colombia was the main drug producer and during this time Colombia had current Mexico, or perhaps even Caracas, level violence by the drug cartels or something close to that. Maybe not as bad as Mexico and Caracas are today.

Add to that the 50+ year civil war and Colombia became of prime national security interest to the US. While Colombia has somewhat overcome the violence and the near failing of the state since the 90s, drug production is on going and those that control the actual trade have moved to other areas like Mexico.


I don't think Colombia is the lynch pin of anti-communist (cold war) policy by the US. its more a key ally for the failed war on drugs policy, and perhaps even more important, a US ally in general in the region. Colombia enjoys cordial relations with just about every country in the region, better than the US has certainly. The possible exception is with Venezuela as their leadership periodically throws tantrums and accuses Colombia of trying to assassinate their leaders.