Changes

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|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =

|area         =440,839 sq. mi.

|area         =440,831 sq. mi.

|pop         =44,725,000

|pop         =49,755,971

|pop-basis =2011

|pop-basis =2018

|gdp         =

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|gdp-year =$337.286 billion (2005)

|gdp-year =$747.024 billion (2018)

|gdp-pc         =$7,565 (2005)

|gdp-pc         =$14,992 (2018)

|currency =Peso

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|idd =

|idd =

===Uribe Administration===

===Uribe Administration===

Alvaro Uribe, an independent, was elected president in May 2002 on a platform to restore security to the country. Among his promises was to continue to pursue the broad goals of Plan Colombia within the framework of a long-term security strategy. In the fall of 2002, Uribe released a national security strategy that employed political, economic and military means to weaken all illegal narco-terrorist groups. The Uribe government offered to negotiate a peace agreement with these groups with the condition that they agree to a unilateral cease fire and to end drug trafficking and kidnapping.  

Alvaro Uribe, an independent, was elected president in May 2002 on a platform to restore security to the country. Among his promises was to continue to pursue the broad goals of Plan Colombia within the framework of a long-term security strategy. In the fall of 2002, Uribe released a national security strategy that employed political, economic and military means to weaken all illegal narco-terrorist groups. The Uribe government offered to negotiate a peace agreement with these groups with the condition that they agree to a unilateral cease-fire and to end drug trafficking and kidnapping.  

In December 2003, the Colombian Self-Defense Forces ([[AUC]]) paramilitary group entered into a peace agreement with the government that has led to the collective demobilization of over 31,000 AUC members. In addition, over 10,000 members of the AUC and other illegal armed groups have individually surrendered their arms. In July 2005, President Uribe signed the Justice and Peace Law, which provides reduced punishments for the demobilized if they renounce violence and return illegal assets, which are to provide reparations to victims.  

In December 2003, the Colombian Self-Defense Forces ([[AUC]]) paramilitary group entered into a peace agreement with the government that has led to the collective demobilization of over 31,000 AUC members. In addition, over 10,000 members of the AUC and other illegal armed groups have individually surrendered their arms. In July 2005, President Uribe signed the Justice and Peace Law, which provides reduced punishments for the demobilized if they renounce violence and return illegal assets, which are to provide reparations to victims.  

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Gallery of South-American painting]]

*[[Gallery of South-American painting]]

Main source:

Main source:

{{Copyright Details (US Government)}}

{{Copyright Details (US Government)}}

* ''Colombia'' (Bradt Travel Guide) by Sarah Woods (2008) [http://www.amazon.com/Colombia-Bradt-Travel-Guide-Sarah/dp/1841622427/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244057054&sr=1-4 excerpt and text search]  

* ''Colombia'' (Bradt Travel Guide) by Sarah Woods (2008) [http://www.amazon.com/Colombia-Bradt-Travel-Guide-Sarah/dp/1841622427/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244057054&sr=1-4 excerpt and text search]  

* ''VIVA Travel Guides Colombia'' by Lorraine Caputo, Paula Newton, and Richard McColl (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Guides-Colombia-Lorraine-Caputo/dp/0979126444/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244057054&sr=1-6 excerpt and text search]

* ''VIVA Travel Guides Colombia'' by Lorraine Caputo, Paula Newton, and Richard McColl (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Guides-Colombia-Lorraine-Caputo/dp/0979126444/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244057054&sr=1-6 excerpt and text search]

==References==

==References==

{{Nb countries south america}}

{{Nb countries south america}}

[[Category:South American Countries]]

[[Category:South American Countries]]

[[Category:Colombia]]

[[Category:Colombia]]

[[Category:Spanish Empire]]

[[Category:Spanish Empire]]

[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]