International Investing

Colombia has smashed Latin American investment records in the past year. The tacit understanding between Alvaro Uribe and powerful right-wing paramilitary forces has granted Uribe enormous leverage in both throttling Colombian left-wing paramilitary forces and in reintegrating right-wing, AUC footsoldiers back into Colombian civil society, through a disarmament/ amnesty program.

Colombia’s “justice and peace law,” which essentially diluted sentencing for militia fighters, was apparently thrown out by the Colombian Supreme Court yesterday. AUC leaders have subsequently pulled out of the cease-fire understanding that previously existed between them and the Colombian government.

Investors should shy away from Colombia until the Colombian Supreme Court’s decision is somehow annulled, or the law reinstated. If it is not, the only investors who stand a chance at profiting from a society at renewed war with itself will be weapons manufacturers.