Colombia Re-Elects Juan Manuel Santos

In June, Colombian citizens re-elected President Juan Manuel Santos, 62.  Since 2000, the United States has given Colombia approximately $10 billion in order to reduce the cocaine trade and fight against illegally armed rebel groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).  More than 90% of the cocaine in America comes from Colombia. 

Over the past 50 years, Colombia has been embroiled in a civil war that has cost the lives of more than 220,000 people.  The conflict has also internally displaced three million people. President Santos, who is allies with the Obama administration, has pledged to enact a peace process with the leftist rebels that will attempt to bring the 50-year conflict to an end.  Hopefully, Santos’ pledge for peace and the significant U.S. financial and political investment will lead to a peaceful resolution.
Facts about Colombia:
Population: 46,245,297 (July 2014)
Area: 440,831 sq. miles (slightly less than twice the size of Texas)
Capital: Bogotá
GDP – per capita: $11,100 (2013, in U.S. dollars)
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, www.bbc.com, www.cia.gov

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