In September 2015, Colombia’s government reached a peace deal with FARC rebels, who
they’ve been in conflict with since 1964.
Despite Colombia’s inability to topple the FARC threat, their military is actually quite
large, and benefits financially from a growing Colombian economy.
So just how powerful is Colombia?
Well, the country is about twice the size of Spain, but holds roughly the same amount
of people at around 47 million.
Colombia borders the tip of Central America in Panama, and forms the beginning of South
America.
About a third of Colombian citizens live in poverty in rural areas due to decades of violence
between the FARC rebels and Colombian government.
However, those who live in the cities are often well off, especially in Colombia’s
highly developed capital city of Bogota.
The World Bank lists Colombia as an “Upper Middle Income” country, with a GDP of nearly
$400 Billion dollars.
They rank above competing neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador, and not far behind successful
European nations like Norway and Austria.
Colombia’s economy heavily depends on energy and mining exports.
It’s Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer, the world’s fourth largest coal
exporter, and the leading producer of raw emeralds.
However, these commodities are vulnerable to price fluctuations, and as a result, Colombia
has been diversifying its economy.
From 2007 to 2012, the Colombian tech industry grew 177% and is being called the “Silicon
Valley” of South America.
However, much of Colombia’s economy is still significantly involved with the South American
drug trade.
Although their most famous drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar, died in 1993, today more than $400
million dollars within the Colombian economy comes from drug trafficking profits.
Colombia is thought to be one of the world’s leading producers of cocaine
With about 450,000 active military personnel, Colombia has long attempted to tackle its
drug and rebel problem by cracking down with its armed forces.
However, they have had limited success in jungle areas, and the resulting violent clashes
have long been criticized by human rights organizations.
Worldwide, Colombia ranks 52nd in military power, spending $13 Billion dollars on defense
in 2014.
But Colombia is not alone in their fight.
Since 2000, the US has spent nearly $10 billion dollars to help encourage peace and eradicate
illicit drug trafficking.
The US is Colombia’s largest trading partner, and the 2012 US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
has reduced tariffs and promoted economic growth.
Colombia is also party to a number of international organizations.
With close ties to the United States and a flourishing economy, Colombia proves itself
to be a significant international “Middle Power”.
However, due to decades of violence, poverty still plagues the nation.
So how powerful is Colombia?
Powerful enough to be self sufficient, but not enough to overcome the country’s greatest
obstacles.
To find out more about the infamous kingpin behind Colombia’s drug trade, check out
Seeker Daily’s video on Pablo Escobar.
Or, to learn more about Colombia’s FARC rebels, check out our video at the bottom.
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