Colombia

Colombia

Introduction

Background

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, and violence has been decreasing since about 2002. However, insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. In January 2011, Colombia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.

Geography

Location

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

total: 1,138,910 sq km
country comparison to the world: 26 land:1,038,700 sq km
water:100,210 sq km
note:includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank

Area – comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries

total: 6,309 km
border countries:Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

Coastline

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate

tropical along coast and eastern plains

cooler in highlands

Terrain

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
note:nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 2.01%
permanent crops:1.37%
other:96.62% (2005)

Irrigated land

9,000 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

2,132 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 10.71cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%)
per capita:235cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions

occasional earthquakes

periodic droughts
volcanism:Galeras (elev. 4,276 m) is one of Colombia’s most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations

it has been deemed a “Decade Volcano” by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations

Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321 m), 129 km(80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars that killed 23,000 people

the volcano last erupted in 1991

additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then

other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

Environment – current issues

deforestation

soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides

air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

Environment – international agreements

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea

Geography – note

only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Colombian(s)
adjective:Colombian

Ethnic groups

mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Languages

Spanish (official)

Religions

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Population

44,725,543 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 6,109,495/female 5,834,273)
15-64 years:67.2% (male 14,826,008/female 15,208,799)
65 years and over:6.1% (male 1,159,691/female 1,587,277) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 28 years
male:27 years
female:28.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.156% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Birth rate

17.49 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Death rate

5.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Net migration rate

-0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Urbanization

urban population: 75% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

BOGOTA (capital) 8.262 million

Medellin 3.497 million

Cali 2.352 million

Barranquilla 1.836 million

Bucaramanga 1.065 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.74 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

85 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 79

Infant mortality rate

total: 16.39 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 108 male:19.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female:12.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.55 years
country comparison to the world: 97 male:71.27 years
female:78.03 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.15 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 93

Physicians density

1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
country comparison to the world: 87

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 146

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 73% of population
total: 92% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 27% of population
total: 8% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 81% of population
rural: 55% of population
total: 74% of population
unimproved:
urban: 19% of population
rural: 45% of population
total: 26% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

160,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

HIV/AIDS – deaths

14,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases:dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease:leptospirosis (2009)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

13.7% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 42

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.1% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 84

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 70

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:90.4%
male:90.1%
female:90.7% (2005 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male:13 years
female:14 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 23%
country comparison to the world: 37 male:18.2%
female:29.9% (2008)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form:Colombia
local long form:Republica de Colombia
local short form:Colombia

Government type

republic

executive branch dominates government structure

Capital

name: Bogota
geographic coordinates:4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference:UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

32 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital)

Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Independence

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Constitution

5 July 1991

amended many times

Legal system

civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010)

Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010)

Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held in May 2014)
election results:Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election

percent of vote – Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:Senate – last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014)

Chamber of Representatives – last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – U Party 28, PC 22, PL 16, PIN 9, CR 8, PDA 8, Green Party 5, other parties 5

Chamber of Representatives – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – U Party 47, PC 37, PL 36, CR 16, PIN 12, PDA 4, Green Party 3, other parties 10

note – as of 1 January 2011, the Senate currently has 101 seats after one seat became vacant due to a PL senator losing their seat for illegal collusion with the FARC

the Chamber of Representatives also has one seat vacant after only 165 of the 166 candidates were credentialed

Judicial branch

four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law

judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms)

Council of State (highest court of administrative law

judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms)

Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution

rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties)

Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary

resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts

members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]

Conservative Party or PC [Fernando ARAUJO]

Green Party [Luis GARZON]

Liberal Party or PL [Rafael PARDO]

National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO Moreno]

Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]

Social National Unity Party or U Party [Juan Francisco LOZANO Ramirez]
note:Colombia has seven major political parties, and numerous smaller movements

Political pressure groups and leaders

Central Union of Workers or CUT

Colombian Confederation of Workers or CTC

General Confederation of Workers or CGT

National Liberation Army or ELN

Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC
note:FARC and ELN are the two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia

International organization participation

BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel SILVA Lujan
chancery:2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 387-8338
FAX:[1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael MCKINLEY
embassy:Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address:Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone:[57] (1) 315-0811
FAX:[57] (1) 315-2197

Flag description

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red

the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830

various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia’s land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom

alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red)

or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity
note:similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

National symbol(s)

Andean condor

National anthem

name: “Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia” (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)
lyrics/music:Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI
note:adopted 1920

the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ

Economy

Economy – overview

The SANTOS administration has highlighted five “locomotives” to stimulate economic growth: extractive industries

agriculture

infrastructure

housing

and innovation. Colombia is third largest exporter of oil to the United States. President SANTOS, inaugurated in August 2010, introduced unprecedented legislation to better distribute extractive industry royalties and compensate Colombians who lost their land due to decades of violence. He also seeks to build on improvements in domestic security and on President URIBE’s promarket economic policies. Foreign direct investment reached a record $10 billion in 2008, but dropped to $7.2 billion in 2009, before beginning to recover in 2010, notably in the oil sector. Pro-business reforms in the oil and gas sectors and export-led growth, fueled mainly by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, have enhanced Colombia’s investment climate. Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia’s infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion. Because of the global financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia’s exports, Colombia’s economy grew only 2.7% in 2008, and 0.8% in 2009 but rebounded to around 4.4% in 2010. In late 2010, Colombia experienced its most severe flooding in decades, with damages estimated to exceed $6 billion. The government has encouraged exporters to diversify their customer base beyond the United States and Venezuela, traditionally Colombia’s largest trading partners

the SANTOS administration continues to pursue free trade agreements with Asian and South American partners and a trade accord with Canada is expected to go into effect in 2011, while a negotiated trade agreement with the EU has yet to be approved by the EU parliament. Improved relations with Venezuela have eased worries about restrictions on bilateral trade, but the business sector remains concerned about the pending US Congressional approval of the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$435.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 $417.4 billion (2009 est.)
$411.4 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$285.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87 1.5% (2009 est.)
3.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$9,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110 $9,600 (2009 est.)
$9,500 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 9.2%
industry:37.6%
services:53.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

21.78 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 18%
industry:13%
services:68% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125 12% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

45.5% (2009)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%:45% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

58.5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 9 53.8 (1996)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

Budget

revenues: $73.24 billion
expenditures:$80.79 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Public debt

45.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59 44.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 4.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.383% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75 13.008% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$32.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54 $25.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$103.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 $90.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$120.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 $102 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$208.5 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 35 $133.3 billion (31 December 2009)
$87.03 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables

forest products

shrimp

Industries

textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement

gold, coal, emeralds

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Electricity – production

51.01 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity – consumption

38.82 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Electricity – exports

1.473 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity – imports

1.396 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

800,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Oil – consumption

296,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Oil – exports

400,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Oil – imports

6,045 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151

Oil – proved reserves

1.9 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Natural gas – production

10.49 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas – consumption

8.69 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas – exports

1.8 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas – proved reserves

113.3 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Current account balance

-$8.943 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181 -$5.141 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$40.78 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59 $34.03 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers

Exports – partners

US 42%, EU 12.6%, China 5.2%, Ecuador 4.5% (2010 est.)

Imports

$38.64 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54 $31.48 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Imports – partners

US 25.5%, China 13.4%, Mexico 9.4%, Brazil 5.9%, Germany 4.1% (2010 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$28.08 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50 $24.99 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$68.94 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50 $62.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$82.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40 $75.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$22.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40 $16.27 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -
1,869.9 (2010)
2,157.6 (2009)
2,243.6 (2008)
2,013.8 (2007)
2,358.6 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

990 (2010)
country comparison to the world:7

Airports – with paved runways

total: 116
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:8
1,524 to 2,437 m:41
914 to 1,523 m:50
under 914 m:15 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 874
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:35
914 to 1,523 m:228
under 914 m:610 (2010)

Heliports

2 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 4,801 km

oil 6,334 km

refined products 3,309 km (2010)

Railways

total: 874 km
country comparison to the world: 95 standard gauge:150 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:498 km 0.950-m gauge

226 km 0.914-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 141,374 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 34

Waterways

18,000 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 6

Merchant marine

total: 13
country comparison to the world: 105 by type:cargo 11, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1
registered in other countries:3 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo
oil terminals:Covenas offshore terminal

Military

Military branches

National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service

service obligation – 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 11,692,647
females age 16-49:11,727,625 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 9,150,400
females age 16-49:9,861,760 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 430,634
female:413,974 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua

managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela

Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries

Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis

world’s leading coca cultivator with 116,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2009, a 3% decrease over 2008, producing a potential of 270 mt of pure cocaine

the world’s largest producer of coca derivatives

supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets

in 2010, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 101,000 hectares combined with manual eradication of 61,000 hectares

a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange

important supplier of heroin to the US market

opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen to 1,100 hectares in 2009 while pure heroin production declined to 2.1 mt

most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2011)