My last visit to Colombia (Medellin) was in 1975 as a young Marine based on the island of Curacao. In those days Medellín was once known as the most dangerous city in the world, a result of an urban war set off by the drug cartels and home of the Medellin Cartel, funded by Pablo Escobar, the city was a victim of the terror caused by the war between the organization headed by Escobar, and competing organizations such as “El Cartel del Valle”. It has been stated that in the 70’s, cocaine surpassed coffee as the chief Colombian export. However, after the death of Escobar, crime rates in the city have decreased dramatically. Today Colombia is classified as relative safe for tourists. and a must do destination for overlanders
