Country Profile
From The Report: Colombia 2013
View in Online Reader

A new era of confidence is sweeping Colombia after a history marked by instability, social inequality and counter-insurgency efforts against guerrilla movements. Steady economic progress and increased security have renewed confidence in Colombia, which has sought to further integrate its economy regionally as well as globally through free trade agreements and membership in regional blocs. With foreign and domestic investments beginning to have tangible effects on the economy, the current administration has sought to reduce social inequality with some success. As the 2014 national elections approach, much will depend on the current negotiations with the FARC, which have so far made important concessions to promote dialogue with the government.
This chapter contains interviews with President Juan Manuel Santos; María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Juan Carlos Pinzón, Minister of Defence; and a viewpoint from José Manuel García-Margallo, Spanish Foreign Minister.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

On the rise: Major strides in economic and political progress as security improves
OBG
plus

Steady economic progress, coupled with renewed security after a tough fight to increase stability in guerrilla-held rural areas, have renewed confidence in Latin America’s third-largest country. Indeed, it appears as though Colombia’s reputation as a major global narcotics trafficker and home to crime and instability has finally given way to a portrait of dynamic development. Yet challenges remain, chief among them high rates of inequality and poverty that have plagued the country for…

Interview

OBG talks to President Juan Manuel Santos
OBG
plus

Interview:Juan Manuel Santos As free trade agreements (FTAs) are two-way streets, how much difficulty does Colombian industry face from foreign competition? JUAN MANUEL SANTOS: The FTAs with the US and the EU are very important as these are our two principal trade partners. Together, both regions purchased more than 51% of our exports, and 37% of our imports came from the US and EU. While our economy is supplemental to theirs, the major challenge for Colombian productive sectors is to harness…

Interview

Developing new partnerships: OBG talks to María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Minister of Foreign Affairs
OBG
plus

Interview:María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar Given recent free trade agreements (FTAs) with the US and the EU, is Colombia prioritising bilateral rather than regional trade agreements? MARIA ANGELAHOLGUÍN CUELLAR: One does not preclude the other. Over the last few years, Colombia has negotiated FTAs, some of which have been ratified, and is currently negotiating bilateral trade agreements with the US, the EU, Canada, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the Central American Northern…

Analysis

Playing it safe: The tide has begun to turn in the battle against insurgency and crime
OBG
plus

The war against the assassinations, kidnappings and armed insurgency that have plagued Colombia for decades is being decisively won, after dealing massive damage to the country’s economic development and international reputation. As a result, spending on military and police forces is high. According to the UN’s Development Programme, in 2010 Colombia spent 4.5% of its GDP on security, significantly more than regional neighbours such as Panama (2.9%) and Costa Rica (2.5%). Indeed, security…

Interview

OBG talks to Juan Carlos Pinzón Bueno, Minister of Defence
OBG
plus

Interview:Juan Carlos Pinzón Bueno How confident are you of protecting new oil exploration in the eastern lowlands? JUAN CARLOS PINZÓN BUENO: The government is making significant efforts to protect national infrastructure, not only in hydrocarbons but also in other areas such as roads and hydroelectric plants. We have increased the budget that applies to this task, which allowed us to use six new battalions to defend infrastructure. We have introduced new systems and technologies, including…

Viewpoint

José Manuel García-Margallo, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, on growing opportunities in Latin American markets
OBG
plus

Latin America is a region on the rise. Politically stable, economically prosperous and with a strong vision, countries like Chile, Mexico, Colombia and Peru are growing at enviable rates, setting themselves apart from the regions’ previous era, which came to be called “the lost decade”. While the continent keeps testing integration formulas, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños, CELAC), Union of South American Nations…

Overview

Variety of influences: The country is rich not only in natural resources, but also culture
OBG
plus

While Colombia began to open its economy to international trade slightly throughout the 1990s, the country did not truly put itself on the map until the early 2000s. At that time, the government made a great effort to overcome the nation’s security problems that had created Colombia’s negative perception abroad. SAFE ENVIRONMENT: The last decade has witnessed Colombia’s guerrillas’ numbers decrease significantly, whilst an intensive programme for the country’s economic globalisation…