This document provides lessons about Colombia and issues related to drug trafficking. It notes that while coca leaves are natural to Colombia, the illegal processing and trafficking of cocaine has fueled violence from guerrilla and paramilitary groups. It emphasizes that most Colombians do not support these armed groups and have suffered greatly from the drug war. The document encourages moving beyond stereotypes and understanding Colombia's challenges in the context of global drug demand and multinational trafficking networks.

1. ADRIANA RUIZ-RESTREPO A uthor of this power point and many other dummy things more…. Like this one : adriana@civisol.net © Become more worldly in only in 10 minutes !!! A Reference Rest of you!! For the Colombia F U M M I E S D R O Includes the painful truth for getting real in the in a funny way and tips XXI century

7. I guess you are now thinking about Colombia and… drugs

13. THE DRUG SPOTLIGHT FOCUSES ON COLOMBIA …. Unlike Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela, Colombia is the only Andean country with access to 2 oceans, the Pacific Ocean to the West, the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean sea to the north; one next to another. (Yes, it is perfect for trade.. that’s is why the canal was built in neighboring Panama). Plus 2 massive “green seas”: the Amazon Jungle to the South and the Oriental Plains or “llanos” to the East. Besides, in Colombia the Andes split in 3 parallel mountain ranges and close to the sea.

14. Colombia is a land of extraordinary geography and a privileged geographical position . Oceans, jungle, mountains and plains are packed all together in one single country in the corner of the Americas.

15. Are you by any chance against global warming ? Imagine the carbon print of coke…

17. Criminals love coke users . That is why they are committed to serve coke customers 24/7 and 365 days a year. They rely on a multinational network of gangs devoted to run the business , drug lords to corrupt legal barriers and smoothen international distribution, armed groups for combating big obstacles such as Colombian soldiers and police, and hit men to remove good politicians and engaged authorities everywhere. And of course a vast net of small dealers all around the world ready to deliver coke to the neighborhoods, parties, offices and schools were its use is tolerated or demanded.

18. Colombia is fully engaged in fighting drugs and many, many Colombians have seen coke only in films ( although increasingly –and shamefully- some Colombians are using coke too) For many years now, absolutely all Colombians have been paying a high price of pain, fear, frustration and stigmatization in a problem that is widespread and global. Noses sustaining this bloody business should start learning and assuming their CO-RESPONSIBILITY for the pain and death that their love for coke leaves behind.

20. LESSON # 1 COKE LOOKS WHITE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK CLOSELY COKE IS RED WITH THE BLOOD OF MANY

24. Colombians don’t support GUERRILLA # 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Colombians don’t support GUERRILLA # 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please listen carefully :

27. REMEMBER : COLOMBIANS DON’T SUPPORT ANY GUERRILLAS!!

33. COLOMBIANS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE VIOLENCE CAUSED BY -GUERRILLA No. 1 -GUERRILLA No. 2 -PARAMILITARIES THEY ARE ALL FUELED BY THE MULTINATIONAL BUSINESS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING

34. KEY QUESTION : Because as of today there has been no need. Nobody in the international community is romanticizing the paramilitaries nor idealizing or justifying any of their actions. Their image is not appealing to fools and pseudo-intellectuals. Colombians don’t have to lose their voice explaining how much their violent ways harm our country; in short ,everybody is on the same page with regard to the paramilitaries. For instance, we are not aware of any foreign government or Hollywood director calling them brothers like they often do with the guerrillas… Why are Colombians usually marching and speaking against the guerrillas and barely do so against the paramilitaries a.k.a. paras?

36. Former guerrilleros of what was once ago known as the M-19 (fortunately enough I didn’t have to introduce you to Guerrilla # 3) signed peace and streamed their ideology to the democratic game. So, yes Colombia has functional democratic institutions (with many flaws just like in France or the USA) And those ex-guerrilleros that were interested in ideas and in real change are now respectable representatives or senators in the Capitol or regional authorities. They offer very strong statements and currently offer a very interesting and legitimate opposition to the current government and traditional political parties. TRUE STORY FOR ANY COLOMBIAN THE CONGRESS IS THE PLACE FOR IDEOLOGICAL CONFRONTATION. ANY ONE THAT STRIVES FOR IDEOLOGICAL CHANGE SHOULD (i) LOOK FOR POPULAR SUPPORT, (ii) GET ELECTED AND (iii) TAKE IDEAS TO CONGRESS COLOMBIANS NEED PEACE AND THE KIDNAPED FREE !

37. COOL TIP Unfair and negative stereotypes add an extra burden to this already complex situation and are definitely not funny, particularly given that victims and their pain are real and the rest of the word is partly responsible. Unfortunately less than one percent of Colombians (we are 40 million) are violently ambitious, armed and fully sponsored by millions of international noses. They bring blood, tears, infamy and pain to other peaceful and unarmed Colombians. Don’t make lousy Colombian jokes to Colombians about Colombians being drug lords, coke addicts and criminals.

39. By the way it is really frustrating to see music and movie stars that use coke, openly describing how “cool” and “high” they were at a party in any of the main capitals of the world. And the next day, they go and take philanthropic pictures portraying how committed they are to making the world a better place… yeah right.. -And the child couriers that carried their coke to their noses in their stomachs? -And the internal displacement of Colombian peasants and indigenous tribes to make room to grow the coca shrubs that satisfy their demand? -And the chemicals poisoning soils and rivers ? -And the victims of kidnapping that have been kept for decades deep in the jungle for politicizing and insulating the drug business on which coke users rely? -And the dead?

41. FINALLY, IF YOU ONLY ARE GOING TO LEARN ONE LESSON THIS IS IT:

42. Guerrilla 1 Guerrilla 2 P A R A M I L I T A R I E S VERY SAD AND EXTREMELY TIRED GOOD COLOMBIANS Huge burden of multinational drug-trafficking + international noses of coke users Extreme International Ignorance about Colombia + self-perceived intellectuals with delirium tremens

46. 100% Colombian, like good coffee.