|
|
Advertisements:
MilitaryMilitary branches
National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2011) Military service age and obligation
18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004) Manpower available for military service
Males age 16-49 11,692,647
Females age 16-49 11,727,625 (2010 est.) Manpower fit for military service
Males age 16-49 9,150,400
Females age 16-49 9,861,760 (2010 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
Male 430,634
Female 413,974 (2010 est.) Military expenditures World Ranking: 33
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Comments
Add a new comment: |
Advertisement
Members area
Colombia (Bogota):
 
GPS points from Colombia (Bogota)
|
||||||||
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, and violence has been decreasing since about 2002. However, insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. In January 2011, Colombia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.