KEY ISSUES

Struggle for Territorial Control Between Left-wing Extremist Guerrillas and the Democratically-elected Government

While the FARC and ELN began as extremist left-wing guerrilla groups opposed to the Colombian government, they evolved into significant organizations that control territory, population centres and related economic activities. Today, the primary goal of these groups is to retain control over the territory they have. Both the FARC and ELN are involved in violent anti-government activities, as also in related criminal acts to finance their operations, including the drug trade, kidnapping for ransom, and bank robberies.

Colombia's armed forces are actively engaged in trying to re-take guerrilla-held territory, and periodically crosse borders to attack FARC and ELN bases in Venezuela and Ecuador.

Cross-border Incursions by the Colombian Military into Ecuador and Venezula

In an effort to defeat the FARC and ELN at home, Colombia's military will attack FARC and ELN guerrilla bases in neighbouring Venzuela and Ecuador. This is seen as provcation by those governments and causes significant ruptures in regional political relations.

The current governments of Venezuela and Ecuador are ideological allies of Colombia's left-leaning FARC and ELN. President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and President Rafael Correa of Ecuador (recently removed from power) are known to ideologically support the FARC and ELN rebels, and have been accused of providing them with material and financial support.

Neither country has shut down the guerrilla camps within their borders, which prompts Colombia's cross-border incursions.

EXACERBATING FACTORS

The Drug Trade

Colombia's drug trade partially funds the armed groups that contribute to the ongoing conflict and is also a significant source of internal instability.

Paramilitary Demobilization

As many former members of the paramilitaries have demobilized, a significant number of individuals with military and security training have been recruited by new criminal groups to act as security.

Internally Displaced Persons

The ongoing conflict between the Colombia Government and armed rebel groups has resulted in individuals and families being displaced from their homes. Among its population of almost 45 million, there are between 1.8 and 3.5 million Internally Displaced Persons.