Issues to be addressed:
An end to the civil war
The people of Colombia are tired of two civil wars that have lasted for 7 decades and are calling for a peaceful Colombia where FARC sympathizers and other Columbians can live side by side in peace. This is by no means an easy task to accomplish at such a late stage of the conflict but it is not impossible and the country needs to address this issue first and foremost.
2. Corruption
In order to solve the drug issue of Columbia, it is essential that the corruption which is present of all levels of government, military and the judiciary are dealt with swiftly. Without accomplishing this, the international community cannot take any measures against the drug production of Colombia.
3. Drug Production
Although the drug production levels of Columbia has seen a slight decline with the death of Pablo Escobar, the drug industry of Columbia has disintegrated into numerous smaller drug cartels which are difficult to stop.
4. Further US military deployment
The fact that US soldiers have been based in Columbia for the better part of the last 2 decades without achieving the objectives which were to train and support the Colombian army in their which would in turn lead to the drug production level of Colombia reducing significantly, the ordinary peasants of Colombia are extremely angered and starting to pledge it support to the FARC which is becoming stronger day by day. The international community should decide whether the US military presence in the region will be a valuable asset or an unnecessary obstacle in solving the Colombian issue.
Further reading
The World Factbook: Colombia
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/co.html
Article on Colombia’s role in the international drug industry:
http://www.fpif.org/reports/colombias_role_in_international_drug_industry
Pablo Escobar: A short biography:
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/20thcenturylatinamerica/a/bioescobar.htm
Introduction to FARC:
http://insightcrime.org/criminal-groups/colombia/farc
Accounts of a FARC hostage:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/28/2522487/hostage-describes-narrow-escape.html
FARC executions:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2066760/FARC-rebels-execute-military-hostages-Colombia.html
Corruption: Colombia’s biggest problem is only getting worse:
http://colombiareports.com/opinion/the-colombiamerican/5976-corruption-colombias-biggest-problem-is-only-getting-worse.html