- 14. February 2026
- Lead Developer
Colombia rundown
Colombia was one of three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 -- the others are Ecuador and Venezuela. A decades-long conflict among government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade -- principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) -- escalated during the 1990s. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization in the 2000s, new criminal groups arose that included some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final accord with the FARC in 2016 that called for its members to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' including a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-trade-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
Geography
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
4 00 N, 72 00 W
Area
total : 1,138,910 sq km
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
People and Society
Population
total: 49,588,357
Ethnic groups
Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Indigenous 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) 98.9%, indigenous 1%, Portuguese 0.1%; 65 indigenous languages exist (2023 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 63.6%, Protestant 17.2% (Evangelical 16.7%, Adventist 0.3%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.1%, other 0.3%, believer, 0.2%. agnostic 1%, atheist 1%, none 14.2%, unspecified 1.8% (2023 est.)
Population growth rate
0.48% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Executive branch
chief of state: President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022)
head of government: President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (108 seats) and the Chamber of Representatives (188 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel GARCÍA-PEÑA JARAMILLO (since 18 September 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Francisco L. PALMIERI (since 1 June 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
prior to COVID-19, one of the most consistent growth economies; declining poverty; large stimulus package has mitigated economic fallout, but delayed key infrastructure investments; successful inflation management; sound flexible exchange rate regime; domestic economy suffers from lack of trade integration and infrastructure
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$978.024 billion (2023 est.)
$972.073 billion (2022 est.)
$906.034 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$18,800 (2023 est.)
$18,700 (2022 est.)
$17,600 (2021 est.)
Exports
$67.762 billion (2023 est.)
$73.06 billion (2022 est.)
$50.907 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
US 26%, Panama 10%, Netherlands 6%, India 4%, Brazil 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, coal, coffee, refined petroleum, gold (2022)
Imports
$75.983 billion (2023 est.)
$89.649 billion (2022 est.)
$70.914 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
US 26%, China 25%, Brazil 7%, Mexico 5%, Germany 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, corn, packaged medicine (2022)
description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red
meaning: various interpretations of the colors exist; one has yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the sea, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; another describes them as representing sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); another has the colors standing for liberty, equality, and fraternity
note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is wider and has the Ecuadorian coat of arms in the center
