Armed Forces of
Colombia or FARC
note: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia

International organization participation:

BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,
UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico),
Washington, DC

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD
embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red
note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the
Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Economy
Colombia

Economy - overview:

Colombia's economy has experienced positive growth over the past
five years despite a serious armed conflict. In fact, 2007 is
regarded by policy makers and the private sector as one of the best
economic years in recent history, after 2005. The economy continues
to improve in part because of austere government budgets, focused
efforts to reduce public debt levels, an export-oriented growth
strategy, improved domestic security, and high commodity prices.
Ongoing economic problems facing President URIBE include reforming
the pension system, reducing high unemployment, and funding new
exploration to offset declining oil production. The government's
economic reforms and democratic security strategy, coupled with
increased investment, have engendered a growing sense of confidence
in the economy. However, the business sector continues to be
concerned about failure of the US Congress to approve the signed FTA.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$327.7 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$171.6 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.2% (2007 est.)