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Colombia displacement

Last reviewed: 04-07-2008

Why have millions of Colombians fled home?


More than four decades of conflict have turned Colombia into one of the world's worst humanitarian hotspots, with millions caught up in the crossfire between soldiers, leftist rebels, cocaine smugglers and far-right paramilitary militias.

  • About 3 million displaced
  • Landmine casualties among worst in the world
  • Centre of world cocaine production
  • Latin America's oldest guerrilla war

    Threats, intimidation, assassinations and massacres have forced about 3 million Colombians from their homes in the countryside - the second-highest rate of internally displaced people in the world after Sudan - while more than 40,000 people have been killed since the start of the 1990s.

    A hardline conservative government - popular with many people for cutting crime but criticised by human rights activists for taking U.S. money to fund a clumsy crackdown on cocaine production - has persuaded thousands of right-wing paramilitaries to disarm. It has also engaged the second-largest guerrilla movement in talks about peace talks. But the largest rebel group refuses to even come to the table, although it has released some hostages after Venezuelan mediation.

    Displaced people 1.9-3.9 million by mid 2007 Colombian government lower estimate, human rights group CODHES higher estimate
    Kidnappings 486 in 2007 Vice President's Office
    687 in 2006 Vice President's Office
    800 in 2005 Vice President's Office
    1,440 in 2004 Vice President's Office
    Land cultivated with coca More than 10 percent (2007) U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime
    Landmine casualties 1,106 killed or injured in 2006 Landmine Monitor 2007

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    A Colombian soldier walks among bags of explosives in Facatativa, some 25 km (15.5 miles) northwest to Bogota, July 5, 2008. Colombia found explosives set to be used in bombs across ...


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