facebook
linkedin
twitter
About Us
  • BFSI
  • Energy
  • Infocom
  • Mining
  • Venture
  • Industry
  • Travel
  • Civic
  • Food, Health, Ag
  • Real Estate
  • Responsibility
  • Economy
  • Law & Justice
  • Interview
  • Analysis
colombia flag

The Economist Names Colombia ‘Country of the Year’

Posted OnDecember 20, 2016
By :Jared Wade
Comment: Off
Tag: farc, juan manuel santos, peace, peace process, the economist

Each year, London-based news magazine The Economic selects its “country of the year,” and today it named Colombia as its 2016 honoree. “Our pick is Colombia, for making peace in 2016,” wrote The Economist. “This was a colossal achievement.”

In explaining its selection, the magazine looked back at the half-century of conflict between the state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This was a battle that, along with the rise of narco-trafficking powers in the 1990s, had the whole world wondering when — not if — the nation would turn into a failed state.

“The conflict between Colombia’s government and the Marxist insurgents of the FARC lasted for half a century and claimed perhaps 220,000 lives,” wrote The Economist. “At one point the country was on the brink of becoming a failed state — something that is now inconceivable. FARC guerrillas murdered with abandon, recruited children and occasionally forced girl soldiers who became pregnant to have abortions. They also ran drug, kidnapping, and extortion rackets to finance their war.”

“Government troops were brutal, too,” it added. “Some of them used fake job advertisements to lure innocent men to remote places. They then killed them and claimed the corpses were rebels, making themselves seem more heroic and increasing their odds of promotion.”

Colombia continues to have grave social issues, and its previously jet-fueled economic progress has been hamstrung by an unforeseen plummet that has created massive headwinds since late 2014. But the perspective offered here is telling. Colombia has come an incredible distance in a very short time.

“The nightmare ended in 2016 — touch wood,” wrote the magazine. “President Juan Manuel Santos thrashed out a peace deal with the FARC and submitted it to a referendum … Like most negotiated peace deals, Colombia’s is incomplete and involves ugly compromises. But the alternative is worse. Colombia is a worthy winner.”

Other recent “country of the year” winners have included Myanmar and Tunisia, which The Economist has recognized “for escaping tyranny and building something resembling democracy,” respectively. These countries, and Colombia, met the magazine’s key criteria: “We aim to reward improvement.”

Photo: Taken and modified by Martin St-Amant

 

DON'T MISS OUT: The only English-language Colombia news that's strictly business, markets, & investment!
Join global executives & investors by subscribing to our FREE weekly updates
I agree to have my personal information transferred to MailChimp ( more information ) DISCLAIMER: Protección de Datos Personales Artículo 15 de la Constitución Política de Colombia, ley 1581 de 2012 y decreto 1377 de 2013.
We will never spam you or share your email address ¡Nunca Jamás!

Share the news!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn
  • Skype

Related

Share your thoughts:

comments

Avatar
About the Author
Jared Wade is editor in chief of Finance Colombia. He is a Bogotá-based journalist with 15 years of experience covering topics including business, financial services, Latin America, and sports. Email him at jared.wade(at) financecolombia.com or follow him on Twitter at @Jared_Wade.
  • google-share
Previous Story

Colombia’s Central Bank Lowers Interest Rate to 7.5% as Economic Slowdown Worries Eclipse Inflation Concerns

Next Story

Exports Spike from Colombia’s Free-Trade Zones in 2016

Related Posts

Khiron CEO Álvaro Torres & Finance Colombia Executive Editor Loren Moss on a Webex call
0

Khiron Life Sciences CEO Álvaro Torres Discusses The Cannabis Company’s Unique Go-To-Market Strategy & Its Network Of Zerenia Integrative Care Clinics

Posted OnApril 3, 2021
, ByLoren Moss
President Juan Manuel Santos gives a speech at Casa de Nariño in Bogotá introducing justices for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, or JEP. (Credit: Presidencia de la República)
1

UN Applauds Colombia’s Peace Tribunal’s Acceptance of over 4,000 Additional Human Rights Cases

Posted OnMarch 2, 2021
, ByLoren Moss
Image courtesy Fiscalia de Colombia
0

Duque Administration Intentionally Failing To Prevent Human Rights Murders, Says Human Rights Watch

Posted OnFebruary 11, 2021
, ByLoren Moss




RECENT

POPULAR

COMMENTS

Tecnoglass window-making factory in Barranquilla, Colombia. (Photo credit: Liliana Padierna)

Tecnoglass To Hold Q1 2021 Earnings Call The Morning Of May 7

Posted On April 13, 2021

Etek Launches Identity & Access Management Service

Posted On April 13, 2021

GCA Airlines Files To Fly New Routes To Bucaramanga, Santa Marta, San Andrés & Pereira, Colombia

Posted On April 13, 2021
PharmaCielo horticultural worker harvests THC dominant and unique cultivar (CNW Group/PharmaCielo Ltd.)

Colombian Cannabis Cultivator PharmaCielo Closes $13.5 Million CAD Capital Raise

Posted On April 13, 2021
Photo from Twitter

Support for Colombian Fugitive Alex Saab Turns Out To Be Nigerian Troll Farm

Posted On April 13, 2021
Photo montage courtesy EPM

EPM’s Board of Directors Resign En Masse, Creating Crisis For Mayor Daniel Quintero

Posted On August 17, 2020

Court Blocks Colombia’s $370 Million USD Emergency Loan To Bankrupt Avianca Airlines

Posted On September 12, 2020

AVIANCA IS BANKRUPT

Posted On May 10, 2020

In Deepening Crisis At EPM, Labor Union Demands CEO Explain Private Gym, Luxury Office Remodel Despite Austerity Orders

Posted On August 25, 2020

Declan Ryan Says Viva Air Not Being Treated Fairly By Colombian Government: Exclusive Interview

Posted On September 3, 2020
Avatar

[…] 2020 — SINPRO, EPM’s largest...

Posted On April 12, 2021
Avatar

[…] Sky Airline each may operate 4...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] didn’t know that; that...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] during his mayoral campaign...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] existing Viva aircraft are...

Posted On March 30, 2021

Watch This!

Book With Us

Consider Advertising With Us

Click here to visit Expat Group's English site

Subscribe Free

don't forget to include "http://"
* = required field
Your Background / Function








unsubscribe from list

RECENT

POPULAR

COMMENTS

Tecnoglass window-making factory in Barranquilla, Colombia. (Photo credit: Liliana Padierna)

Tecnoglass To Hold Q1 2021 Earnings Call The Morning Of May 7

Posted On April 13, 2021

Etek Launches Identity & Access Management Service

Posted On April 13, 2021

GCA Airlines Files To Fly New Routes To Bucaramanga, Santa Marta, San Andrés & Pereira, Colombia

Posted On April 13, 2021
Photo montage courtesy EPM

EPM’s Board of Directors Resign En Masse, Creating Crisis For Mayor Daniel Quintero

Posted On August 17, 2020

Court Blocks Colombia’s $370 Million USD Emergency Loan To Bankrupt Avianca Airlines

Posted On September 12, 2020
copa airlines

Copa Airlines Raising $350 Million USD War Chest Via Private Notes Offering

Posted On April 27, 2020
Avatar

[…] 2020 — SINPRO, EPM’s largest...

Posted On April 12, 2021
Avatar

[…] Sky Airline each may operate 4...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] didn’t know that; that...

Posted On April 6, 2021

Watch This!

Contact Us (Click the image):

Book With Us

Pages

  • About Us
  • Colombia Events, Conferences, Festivals and Important Dates
  • Contact Us
  • main
  • Media Partnerships
  • Privacy Policy
  • Whatsapp test page
Copyright 2014-2020 Finance Colombia All Rights Reserved. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
WhatsApp us
loadingCancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.