November 20, 2015
Path to Peace and Prosperity: The Colombian Miracle
Over the past 15 years, Colombia has transformed from a nation on the brink to a leader in Latin
America. Through the dedication and resilience of the Colombian people and government leaders –
and with continued U.S. support – we have been successful in combatting drug trafficking and
dismantling illegal armed groups that threatened the stability of our nation. With a final peace
agreement within reach, Colombia’s road ahead is promising – and others are taking notice.
A new report from the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin
America Center, “Path to Peace and Prosperity: The Colombian
Miracle” highlights the strides Colombia has made toward
establishing a strong democracy, a growing economy and
lasting peace. Using consensus as a guiding theme, the report
explores how the Colombian government has been successful
in enacting meaningful reforms that strengthened security and
ushered in an era of political, social and economic reform. To
follow are just a few of the highlights from the report:
On the Economy
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Received more than $16 billion in foreign direct
investment in 2014 – equivalent to a 500 percent
increase over the past 13 years.
Has signed FTAs with the United States, the European
Union, Mexico, Chile, Peru, the European Free Trade
Association (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and
Photo Credit: Atlantic Council
Liechtenstein), several Central American nations and
Canada, among others.
Is building the Pacific Alliance with Chile, Mexico and Peru – an integration and trade
initiative that will soon be able to compete with the rest of the world, with a marketplace of 215
million people and the free movement of goods, services and citizens in the four countries.
On Poverty Reduction and Social Indicators
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In the past two decades, Colombia has cut in half the number of people living in poverty.
Health insurance coverage expanded to more than 90 percent of the population by 2012.
From 1993 to 2012, electric power coverage grew from 75 percent to 94 percent.
Looking to the future, the report’s author Miguel Silva writes:
“Numbers only begin to tell the story. … The fundamental achievements associated
with the ‘Colombian miracle’ are twofold: the strengthening of democratic institutions
through a constituent assembly and the restoration of national security.
“… The continuation of the Colombian miracle will require refocusing the political
center around important policies that are difficult to implement but critical for continued
progress.
“The United States and its Western allies should not back out now, or leave this in the
hands of the Colombians. Instead, they should continue supporting the country in the
model of a Plan Colombia 2.0, with investments in the countryside’s infrastructure, and
other forms of support in the political, legal, and social spheres.”
For the full report, visit: www.atlanticcouncil.org/colombia-miracle/
NYT: ‘Taking Stock of the $10 Billion Washington
Spent on Colombia’s War’
In an interview with the New York Times, U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker discussed U.S.
investment in Colombia, including through Plan Colombia, and the important role it has played in
Colombia’s transformation.
“Over the last 16 years, that nation has gone from a near-failed state,
with a barracks-bound military unable to control a large,
geographically segmented nation swarming with guerrillas,
paramilitary groups and predatory criminal organizations, to a vibrant
institutional democracy with a strong, free-market economy and
powerful, capable security forces fully respectful of their civilian
masters. … Our significant $10 billion contribution to Plan Colombia
amounts to less than 5% of the total cost of that endeavor.
Colombians invested in their own future. Their commitment to work
collaboratively with us, and to sacrifice for their nation, was critical.”
- U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker
For the full interview, click here.
Get to know Colombia.
Learn more at www.colombiaemb.org.
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