Any one of the scandals I referred to would be headline news for weeks in the United States, but in Colombia they are barely mentioned and hardly investigated.

Unfortunately, courageous journalists do not have much opportunity to pursue their work, not just because of the death threats and being forced into exile, but also because there is not much ‘editorial pluralism’ in Colombia.

There is one (one!) daily national newspaper, and that is owned by the same Santos clan from which come the vice president and the Minister for Defense. (As compared to Venezuela, which has ten daily newspapers, only one of which, Últimas Noticias, supports President Chávez).

You are right that the Farc have lost any ideological justification - the continued holding of hostages is an inexcusable war crime - but it was the lack of social assistence and investment that allowed the guerrillas to attract campesino support from impoverished areas, and the displacement, as a paramilitary war tactic to seize valuable land, of peasant workers that continues to push desperate people into the arms of the Farc.

I think you overestimate the influence of the Farc on foreign investors in Colombia, though. The Colombian economy grew at its fastest rate for thirty years last year, and labour laws ensure that workers can be fired at will and paid barely a living wage, while business has no need to be concerned about paying high taxes or even health benefits for their workers.

These considerations are far more important to business, and as shown by the US companies financing paramilitary death squads, any problems with union organising can be, literally, eliminated.

I am not sure why you felt the need to refer to Marxism or Venezuela in response to the article, but political opinions in Colombia tend to be highly polarized, and your comments reflect the response of many Uribistas who immediately assume that opposition to the President equals Bolívarianism or Communism.

Actually, there is an emerging social democratic political opposition to the traditional conservative parties in Colombia - the Polo Democrático Alternativo, and should their concentration on social justice issues - improving health, education and labour conditions - attract more support, then that might attract people away from the extremism of the guerrillas and be good news even for the right in Colombia.

Movement of people, investment, etc. has been stifled because of the dangerous environment created by this organization. Thus, Colombia is a great country held in a death grip. Perhaps, there wouldn’t be so much poverty if investors and businesses were not afraid due to FARC.

Alvaro Uribe is nothing more than a man. Yet, he is a man of vision. No other president has advanced that country and helped it than he. Transmilenio demonstrates the investment and progress that can be accomplished.

Fortunately, the people are wise, unlike many foreigners, to FARC’s little song and dance of being Marxist/communist. When in fact, they have become nothing more than drug dealers and terrorists.

As for the Marxist route, it is with great hope that Colombia does not fall for the tired song of failure the world over. Time after time, socialism/Marxism/communism has demonstrated its failure, such as Venezuela that is collapsing into dictatorship, and yet, many still follow this sad religion down the path to greater suffering and exploitation.

Yes, corruption exists, but it exists everywhere. For now though, perhaps a good beginning, such as Uribe is providing, is just what this country needs.

Mark

p.s. I lived in Colombia for many years and am aware of the issues.