, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuente
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE
embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, No. 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831
mailing address: APO AA 34038
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197
consulate(s): Barranquilla

Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,
and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears
the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Economy
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Economic overview: Boasting a diversified and stable economy,
Colombia has enjoyed Latin America's most consistent record of
growth over the last several decades. Gross domestic product (GDP)
has expanded every year for more than 25 years, and unlike many
other South American countries, Colombia did not default on any of
its official debts during the "lost decade" of the 1980s. Since
1990, when Bogota introduced a comprehensive reform program that
opened the economy to foreign trade and investment, GDP growth has
averaged more than 4% annually. Growth has been fueled in recent
years by the expansion of the construction and financial service
industries and an influx of foreign capital. Some foreign investors
have been deterred by an inadequate energy and transportation
infrastructure and the violence stemming from drug trafficking and
persistent rural guerrilla warfare, but direct foreign investment,
especially in the oil industry, is still rising at a rapid rate.
Although oil consequently is overtaking coffee as the main legal
export, earnings from illicit drugs probably exceed those from any
other export. Non-petroleum economic growth has been slowing,
however, in part because the tight monetary policies adopted to
offset the inflationary impact of high capital inflows and rising
government spending have slowed local sales and investment. Business
confidence also has been damaged by a political crisis stemming from
allegations that senior government