{"id":12386,"date":"2019-10-09T15:57:50","date_gmt":"2019-10-09T15:57:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seeker.io\/?p=12386"},"modified":"2019-10-09T15:57:50","modified_gmt":"2019-10-09T15:57:50","slug":"is-colombia-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seeker.io\/article\/is-colombia-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Colombia Safe for Travel in 2023?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201c<\/strong>You\u2019re going where?<\/em>\u201d \u2013 my mum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a parent hears the news that their child is going to Colombia, they are typically…less than thrilled<\/em>. And to be fair, if you had ingested the last four to six decades of Colombian news, you\u2019d probably be a little hesitant to send a loved one there, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the 70’s to the end of the century, Colombia was the setting of an all-out brawl between a wildly corrupt government, a cut-throat communist militia, a far right private militia, and a certain drug lord who, in this article at least, shall remain nameless (we\u2019ll get to that later). Presidents were shot, bombs were set off in schools, and the rich and influential were kidnapped on the daily. In the early 90s, Medellin<\/a>, Colombia\u2019s third biggest city, was the murder capital of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when I first came to Colombia in 2015, it was like I\u2019d been transported to upside down world. It was so\u2026 normal. The streets were tranquil, the people were friendly, and the only bangs <\/em>I heard were from the speakers playing reggaeton at an inadvisable volume. As a solo backpacker, there are endless things to do in Colombia<\/a>, and it quickly became my favourite country in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such were the depths of my love for the country that I created a bomb Colombia itinerary<\/a>, came back four years later, and have settled down in Medellin. Yes, that <\/em>Medellin. And despite being well aware of my previous (positive) experience here, my mum still had the same reaction when I announced my plans to return. \u201cOh Michael, you don\u2019t have to<\/em>, <\/em>do you?\u201d Thankfully, this time I was prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cListen here, Speed,\u201d I said (yes, my mum\u2019s name is Speed. No, it\u2019s not because of methamphetamines). \u201cLet me lay down 11 facts that prove that Colombia is safe, clean, and totally cool.\u201d Here’s what I said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of 2016, Colombia is officially at peace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Colombia\"
Coffee and banana plantations near Buenavista, Antioquia, Colombia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Colombia\u2019s fortunes began to change on the 2nd<\/sup> of December 1993. That was the day that the leader of the Medellin cartel, he who shall not be named<\/em>, was killed. While certain TV shows might glorify his existence, this man made life absolute hell for an entire nation. You often hear the Robin Hood argument from us gringos. \u201cBut he gave to the poor, didn\u2019t he?\u201d The response from the Colombians I have spoken to is blunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe built 390 houses (Barrio Pablo Escobarto<\/a>) try to buy votes from the poor for his run at presidency. Meanwhile, his organisation killed 110,000 people. How many houses should he have built to make those deaths OK?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 25 years since his death, Colombia has slowly pulled itself up by the bootlaces. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place in 2016, when a peace treaty was signed that effectively disbanded FARC (the communist militia), the last vestige of the bad old days. No fighting in the streets. No grabs for power. A peaceful democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistically, Colombian cities are safer than many in the US<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Colombia\"
Night View of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, Detroit: by crime rate<\/a>, these are just a handful of US cities that are statistically more dangerous than either Bogota or Medellin. Ask your mum, would she be as concerned about you taking a photo under The Bean<\/a>, or heading to New Orleans for Mardi Gras? Comparatively, Colombia is just as (if not more) safe as the cities right outside your backyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything you know about Medellin is wrong<\/h3>\n\n\n\n