Foreign+Policy

Colombia has decent international relations. It has had minor conflicts with neighboring countries (Ecuador, Venezuela) but these conflicts have been local and have not involved the government itself. Colombia shares healthy relations with Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.


 * Venezuela and the FARC**
 * Colombia suffers from internal attacks by the FARC, a terrorist Marxist-leninist revolutionary guerilla organization. There are rumors of a link between the Venezuelan government and the FARC due to their mutual collaboration. Venezuela has asked it to provide urban guerrilla training to pro-government cells and is rumored to have asked FARC to assassinate political opponents of current Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez. Therefore, Colombia shares a shaky relationship with Venezuela.
 * The United States**
 * There are different views on American political influence in Colombia. The US has been praised for aiding Colombia’s battle against terrorism and drug trafficking, but it has also been accused of worsening internal conflicts and expanding the scope and nature of human rights abuses in the nation. Regardless, the US as part of its “War on Drugs”, has donated hundreds of millions of dollars per year to aid the military programs in Colombia that strive to work against drug trafficking. This therefore has made the US a strong ally of Colombia.
 * Asia**
 * Colombia shares healthy relationships with all Asian nations. Japan and Colombia are active trade partners, Colombia had sent 1000 troops to South Korea during the Korean War and the nation also holds strong relations with China. In addition, Colombia is the commercial point of entry into Latin America for Indian companies.
 * Europe**
 * Colombia shares good relations with Europe. Colombia is part of La Union Latina, which is an international organization representing nations that use Romance languages. Colombia’s membership of this group has strengthened its relations with Spain, France and Italy.
 * Africa**
 * On August 22, 2011 Colombia recognized the NTC as the legitimate government of Libya.