Background Briefing: Colombia

Even as the administration of President Ernesto Samper has taken limited steps to curb violence and address impunity, the human rights situation in Colombia has deteriorated sharply. Political violence was particularly intense in areas contested by guerrillas and by paramilitaries operating with the acquiescence or active support of the Colombian army. All parties routinely attacked "enemies" within the civilian population, meaning that noncombatants remained Colombia's most frequent victims.