Analysis of Colombia

• Great progress has been made in making the country safer though serious problems still exist particularly on the peripheries of the nation (think mountains, forests, and border regions).
• The production of cocaine will continue to be the most dangerous and destabilizing force in Colombia since it provides the power and financing to all the actors in the armed conflict (paramilitaries, guerrillas, narco-traffickers). Though there is somewhat of a ideological motivation, particularly on the part of the FARC and ELN guerrillas, the majority of the illegal armed groups are mostly just a collection of drug gangs and criminals at this point (though they are well financed and well equipped).
• No tangible progress has been made on combating the drug problem and a change in strategy from fumigation to interdiction must be made. Despite the fumigation of fields – a strategy pushed by the US, cocaine production is higher than ever. If the final product can be contained and prevented from leaving the zones of production and the country, there will be a surplus and the price will drop. Only when the price drops will it make sense for an impoverished peasant to switch to an alternative crop. There is no way someone will grow a field of corn worth $1,000 if he can make $20,000 growing Coca. With the loss of income, the guerrillas will also loss power and their ability to threaten the peace and stability of the country.
• The indigenous peoples and the peasants in the countryside are caught in the midst of the conflict and subject to violence and abuse from all sides. The problem is compounded by the long history of the use of coca in Colombian society dating back centuries into the pre-hispanic period, which has in some cases switched from traditional use to illegal production.
• The presidency of Uribe has been a very good period of progress and improved stability for the country, however, because such a large portion of the country views him as the "savior" of Colombia, the possibility exists for the future abuse of power. He is almost a king here in terms of popular opinion (enjoying between 70 and 75% popularity), and this could weaken the institutions of government and the constitutional balance of power over time.
  
• The US should strengthen its commitment to Colombia despite the para-political scandal – the fact that the scandal is part of an ongoing publicized investigation is proof that the independent press and judicial system are strong and functioning. The US should push for a change of strategy as part of the Plan Colombia (switching from fumigation to interdiction) since the Colombian government seems reluctant to admit that the current anti-drug strategy has not helped (this is made more complicated by US political and lobbying forces that want to see the fumigation continue).
• The Evangelical Christian Community is growing, however, without a strong system of training and theological study, the risk remains that the church will continue to be more devoted to feelings and emotions (the spirit part) and less to rigorous biblical study and history of the church (a commitment to truth). Both are important (John 4:23) but there are signs of an unhealthy lack of balance.
• The long-standing conflict between the evangelical community and the Catholic church remains though it is less obvious and more subtle now, and with the explosive growth of independent churches in the country, there is a great need for unity and cooperation within the body of Christ.
• A great divide exists between those who have, and those who do not. Poverty, hunger and disease are evident throughout the country as well as deep spiritual paucity. The family structure, and in particular the role of men, are in jeopardy and in need of healing and divine intervention.
  
• There is a lot of work for us as Christians left to do here in the country as we work to share the love of God through both the Word and deeds.