I would add that there was a good article on the Colombian attorney general in CAQ a few issues ago. Some of the civil servants are sincere in their battle for human rights and against corruption. They are in the minority however. They receive death threats and are quite often murdered. Many Colombian judges have been murdered by paras and the drug gangs. The Magdalena Medio is a hell hole. There is a large para base at Puerto Boyaca on the Magdalena river. There is a sign outside that town (I've seen it) that says "welcome to the anti-communist capital of the world". Down the river is Barrancabermeja the principle oil town in Colombia and a traditional seat of the Colombia left with the strong and militant oil workers union (regularly accused and then tortured and murdered for being ELN members/sympathizers.) as well as strong ELN presence. So it is the sight of many brutal human rights abuses, street battles between g's and paras. I was once in a town on the Magdelana called Mompos where there was a Shell refinery with the "S" burnt out of the sign. It gave me a grim satisfaction to see this huge sign that said "HELL" every night when perched on my barstool. I really like to hear of Dennis's experience and knowledge of working in that region. Sam
