LE MONDE DIPLOMATIQUE
 

Colombia: hopes of peace shot down *

by our special correspondent MAURICE LEMOINE

     Bolivar is a lawless region of mines, coca-production and kidnapping to the north of the Colombian capital Bogota. Its control has been disputed for years between ELN guerrillas (now in loose alliance with the FARC),  paramilitaries and the government army. An informal but desperate war continues between all three: as ever, the civilians suffer most.

                                    Translated by Julie Stoker

Le Monde diplomatique en anglais: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/md/en/

Published in October 2001