vement or M-19 [Antonio NAVARRO Wolff] note: Colombia has
about 60 formally recognized political parties, most of which do not
have a presence in either house of Congress

Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgent groups
active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and
National Liberation Army or ELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary
group is United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC

International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer),
CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,
UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington,
DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles,
Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico),
and Washington, DC consulate(s): Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Calle 22D-BIS,
numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45,
Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57]
(1) 315-2197

Flag description: 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 Colombia

Economy - overview: Colombia's economy suffered from weak domestic
demand, austere government budgets, and a difficult security situation. A
new president takes office in 2002 and will face economic challenges
ranging from pension reform to reduction of unemployment. Two of
Colombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future; new
exploration is needed to offset declining oil production, while coffee
harvests and prices are depressed. Problems in public security are a
concern for Colombian business leaders, who are calling for progress in
the government's peace negotiations with insurgent groups. Colombia is
looking for continued support from the international community to boost
economic and peace prospects.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $255 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2001 est.)