Colombia was one of the three original countries along with Ecuador and Venezuela that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830. Over the last 40 years, there has been a campaign to overthrow the government partially because of the drug trades throughout Colombia. The movement does however lack support from military and support from the necessary influences. In recent years, there have been challenges for control of the territories throughout Colombia and also for the drug trade. Economy
The economy continues to improve despite the last couple of years, by having an increased number of government budgets, increases number of efforts to reduce the public debt levels, and an export oriented growth focus. Some of the negative aspects of the economic problems range from to changing the current pension system, reducing high unemployment and the need to fix the declining oil production. On the positive side, some of the changes being done are reducing the public deficit which is now below 2. 5%.
Also, coffee prices were at an all time low and have begun to raise again. Colombia makes most of their money from exports, some exports are coffee, petroleum, iron, steel, fruits and drugs. Drugs Throughout the 1980’s, Colombia earned the name as the major narcotic trafficking center. The country’s involvement with drugs did not stem in the 1980’s, it started with the first colonization, which had grown and chewed coca for thousands of years. The marijuana fascination was however a new concept to the country.
Marijuana was introduced in the 1930’s from Panama and was used largely by the Costeno black population. Though, it was used mainly by criminals. During WWII experiments were being done with hemp, in the 1960’s is when the real takeoff with production began resulting from the demand from the United States. In the 1970’s when the United States tightened up border patrol from the U. S. and Mexico is when Colombia became the number one producer of marijuana. More then 70% of all marijuana in the U. S was coming from Colombia in the 1980’s.
More than 30,000 farmers made a living growing and selling marijuana while over another 50,000 Colombians made a living by picking, transporting and guarding the marijuana. The sell and growth of marijuana was a new wealth for the population, providing income and economic stability. As a result of Colombians growing marijuana, there became a decrease in local food production which raised the cost of food. Before long, the mafia bought all the airlines, hotels, banks and casinos to use for laundering illicit profits. In the 1960’s, cocaine smuggling networks were coming together.
The drugs were being carried by individuals or “mules” a few kilograms at a time using the commercial airlines. As the demand for cocaine increased in the U. S. , Colombians had to start refining cocain in kitchen laboratories. As other countries continued to chase after “chemist” and prosecute them, the Colombian government did not have any drug enforcement, which led other “chemist” to Colombia. Two men responsible for the producing and trafficking the drugs were Carlos Lehder Rivas and Jorge Luis Ochoa Vasquez, who later would be called the “Medellin Trafficking Syndicate. The Medellin drug bosses took control of the wholesale distribution in the United States in 1978. During this year, there were over 101 drug related murders and violence known as “the cocaine wars. ” As the Medellin Cortel made more money they reinvested it in businesses and bought bigger and better airplanes. Though, Colombia was accustomed to high crime rates, the rise in the drug market increased murder and violence throughout the country and the world. Not only were the drug lords fighting amongst themselves, they were killing anyone who got in the way of their business.
This contributed to the devaluation of life throughout Colombia and gave murders a source of income which only increased with the drug trafficking. Since the drug lords contributed to the economic power they soon had a say in the political power. Not only were they trafficking drugs but they were selling to the youth of Colombia. In the late 1980’s, teens and many other were addicted to basuca, which was more contaminated and addictive than marijuana. This drug left many Colombians suffering from permanent nervous disorders and claiming the lives of many others.
