Violence In Colombia

The illegal drug industry took charge in the 1970s. Violence increased and illegal drug trade started. Although the external debt crisis affected much of Latin America, Colombia was able to grow almost 3 times faster than the Latin American average.Yet, violence restrained economic growth and drugs distorted the economy. Hundreds of bombs exploded in Colombian cities in the 80s. A rebel conflict occurred in which Union Patriotica; a left-wing political party, had over 3,500 members killed or taken by paramilitaries. A lot of these murders were of presidential candidates, Supreme Court Justices, journalists and judges. A stable colombian economy began to fluctuate in the 90s. Colombia’s economic growth exhibits less volatility. It grew faster

One of the main is issues is the constant violence in the country from guerilla groups. There are two left-wing guerrilla groups known as “The Fuerza Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia” (FARC) and the Ejercito de Liberación Nacional (ELN). Both groups were active but they were not a big issue towards democracy and constitutional order. In the 1990s however, the FARC began financing its operations through drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion. The right-wing paramilitaries fought for territorial control of oil-producing regions. Organized crime such as drug trafficking became a huge issue. This security issue has cost the country extreme restriction for development. The need for protection has increased and the cost of doing business in the country and security issues have negatively affected FDI inflows into Colombia. According to UNCTAD, it was estimated that Colombia’s security problems was taking 1.5 to 2 percent of Colombia’s annual growth rate. The guerilla groups, drug-related violence, and paramilitaries have made Colombia one of the most violent nations in the world. In the year 2000, the government introduce the Democratic Security Policy in attempt to alleviate problems. This policy increased military spending from 3 to 5 percent of GDP. The policy proved to create positive results. The improved security encouraged travellers,

According to the World Bank, Economic performance, coca cultivation and violence all correlated with each other’s trends. (See Figure 1) People used to argue that illegal drug distribution benefited the economy however, that was all left back in the 80s. Drug trade helped stabilized the Colombian economy during the Latin American debt crisis. As beneficial as it may sound, it was estimated that 7% of GDP and 70% of exports during the 1980s came from drugs. The drug trade created other issues besides violence. Drug trade also imposed high costs such as an increase in security costs. Economic, political and social uncertainty rose. There were increases in smuggling and deterrents to both foreign and domestic investment. The government used its resources to fight this problem but so many people were involved in the drug cartel due to poverty and inequality, that it was difficult for the government to stop the war on drugs. The question that rose from drug trade was whether poverty drove people to produce drugs. Usually those in high need are willing to do whatever it takes to progress and have the necessary income to support their families. There is high correlation between illegal drugs and sociopolitical instability and an unequal and negative relationship between education, healthy and poverty levels.The main departments that are producing drugs in Colombia are Caqueta, Guaviare and