The slums of Bogota, Colombia

In Colombia, thousands of people have been murdered or disappeared over the last four decades. In some cases the victims are buried in mass graves in the jungles where they remain undetected. In March 2009, Irish journalist Karen Coleman visited slums on the outskirts of Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Karen spoke to people whose loved ones had been murdered by either FARC guerrillas or right-wing paramilitaries. This multi-media video tells that story.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• mass
• graves
• Colombia
• disappeared
• murders
• assassinations
• Bogota
• Soacha
• slums
• Irish
• journalist
• Karen
• Coleman

[DaveXBTube]

When you watch the video, please notice how the children are all happy, clean, fed and going to school. Even after all the tradegy in their lives, this is their attitude to life. This observation tells you as much about Colombia as the narative.

[DaveXBTube]

They are doing there best to resolve these problems themselves. That is not easy when the problems are large, multidiamentional and a developing country has limited resources. Some of the comments here are grossly insulting and demonstrate a profound ignorance of the country.

A better response would be to visit the country so that you can weigh up the pros and cons with first hand knowledge of what it is really like.

[DaveXBTube]

When they see a bad aspect about their country getting air time yet again they tend to react strongly. Someone has to remind the world that there are good things about Colombia.

All that said: hundreds of thousands of people in Colombia have been displaced due to the violence. They end up living in slums. They are in every major city. Bogota is by far the largest city and has the largest number of displaced people. This is not news to Colombians. They are well aware of the problem.

[DaveXBTube]

The Colombian people are well aware what reputation their country has on the world stage. However since 99% of them are wonderful, helpful, good people it is frustrating for them to know that this is how most of the world views their country. Ironically tourism can do a great deal to help solve many of Colombia's problems. Since a key need is jobs. Most Colombians are very proud of their country and they just want the world to appreciate it.

[DaveXBTube]

Colombia has been and continues to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. It has a certain reputation on the world stage. So much so, that tourism practically disappeared. In the last 10 years vast strides have been made at great cost in human lives to address the violence in Colombia. Of course the job is not complete yet. Colombia is an amazing country and so the adventurous can't keep away. As a result tourism is growing rapidly.

[DaveXBTube]

Hola a todos! Soy de Nueva Zelanda y me gusta Colombia! Colombianos son buenos gente! Colombia is a great and fascinating country. I have been to Bogtoa, Cali and Cartegena. I am about to buy my plane ticket to visit again. The best thing about Colombia is the people and the way they treat visitors.

This video shows a very real and serious problem in Colombia. People that have never been to Colombia should consider a few things before responding to comments on this video.

[1717nicholas]

whats that @@@@? that's why you ignorant greengos think Colombia is a terribly country cause you just show that Cain of videos you are not helping our country. if you wanna help us show beautiful videos in bogota or medellin or cartagena whit all the building and park and beautifull people in every where like colombia really is.

I don't speak English but im sure you understand what im saying

[xKirstyxSparklex]

Yes Colombia has problems but every country has problems! I think people forget how beautiful Colombia is, Im totally in love with the country.

[redcliffeqld1]

@TheSiuG1 ....STOP YOUR BULLSHIT ....i am glad people like her make these videos there should be more made many many more..too many people in so many countys just dont think of nobody but them selves in there city or towns...and keep money to themselves and dont help or share with nobody no body... WELL DONE KAREN.....

[redcliffeqld1]

@TheSiuG1 YOU ARE MAKING a DUMB DUMB REPLY...the lady is from ireland ,and not america..at least the lady had the guts and balls to go somewhere to give people a voice ..STOP GETTING SO FUCKED UP IN THe HEAD..the lady wants people out there from other countrys too see and help people in bogota and not let them be forgotten ......people in many countrys have tooo much money and way too much food.. ur such an asshole and let people like her show fat gringos that thye need to help other people