Talking About Colombia

British journalist Richard McColl recently traveled to the jungles between Caqueta and Amazon departments.

McColl and his guide hiked through the area known as “Tranquilandia,” or “Tranquility-land,” a name given because the Medellin Cartel once freely grew and processed cocaine there. The complex once consisted of 19 cocaine-mixing laboratories and dormitories for the workers. McColl reported there are still traces of airstrips for illicit shipments.

Beware, however: McColl came across makeshift prisons once ran by the FARC. Former Presidential Candidate Ingrid Betancourt was held in a camp near there for three days before being moved further away and up into the jungles of the Guaviare.

Next, McColl and his guide traveled for four days without spotting another soul to their final destination, the Chiribiquete National Park. The waterfall there measures some 430 meters across.