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Overview
Colombia today faces a profound national crisis,more wrenching than
any in its history. Political and criminal violence are endemic, fueled by
enormous profits from the illegal drug trade. A rapid erosion of the rule
of law has led to the widespread perception that civil institutions have
lost their legitimacy.More than half of Colombia's national territory is
effectively beyond the control of the central government. What was once
a proud, self-confident people are losing optimism, confidence, even
hope.
The Council on Foreign Relations, in partnership with the Pacific
Council on International Policy, convened for the first time a Working
Group on Colombia, based in San Francisco. This Working Group
operated in parallel with the Independent Task Force on Colombia,jointly
sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Inter-
American Dialogue. Mathea Falco, president of Drug Strategies and
former assistant secretary of state for international narcotics matters,chaired
the Working Group and served as a member of the Independent Task
Force. The Independent Task Force was cochaired by Senator Bob
Graham from Florida and former national security adviser General
Brent Scowcroft.
The purpose of the Working Group on Colombia was to discuss
the implications of Colombia's current crisis for the United States.The
Working Group included a cross-section of informed Californians with
careers in business, law, the judiciary, law enforcement, education,
philanthropy, and journalism. Sharing an active interest in Latin America
and deep concern about Colombia, Working Group members
exchanged ideas with leading Colombian officials, U.S. drug control
and counter-insurgency experts, and scholars and journalists with long
experience in Latin America.
