The Conflict

Colombia produces seventy-three percent of the world's coca leaf—the plant from which cocaine is made. In Colombia, drug organizations (cartels), militias, and paramilitary groups fight each other for profits and protection. Cartels fight the extradition of drug dealers to the United States for prosecution.

Political

• Drug dealers want to sell drugs and don't want prosecution of their members—in Colombia or in the United States.
• The militias are guerrilla movements that are attempting to overthrow the government, and are often funded by drugs.
• The paramilitary groups are fighting to establish order in Colombia—often using assassinations and torture.
• The Colombian government has been unable to prosecute law breakers; if they attempt to prosecute, government officials and judges are murdered by the cartels and militias.
• The United...