Peso at 1955?......

arthur brode says on May 23, 2007, 08:11:

yeah,its getting bad. pretty soon i wont be able to afford my Ceviche/Filet Miñon:(

http://www.calirentals.net/

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cayita says on May 23, 2007, 08:20:

dollar fixation you know we export to Europe too here in Colombia. That exchange rate in the last three months has dropped from 2,950 to 2,650. The dollar has dropped from 2250 to 1950. Each has dropped some 300 pesos in that time. I wish it were just a weak dollar. We would pay the extra costs and expand in Europe but we are getting our asses kicked there too. All I can say is it is too late for our workers for action by our government. I hope they do something soon though and maybe others can benefit from it. Maybe we will live to breathe another day. If this continues we won't.

You can only convince yourself; "OK this is the bottom it can't go any lower than this." For only so long and then reality hits you right in the face like a cold dead fish.

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Waterdawg says on May 23, 2007, 08:38:

If your chillin in Colombia ; You might say ; this ain't no biggie ! On the other hand , if you are trying to make a go of it ( Small biz , Job creation for Colombians , export your product ) this is a huge problem .
The longer the numb nuts that are in charge of the monitary fund sit on their hands the worse it is going to get ..
Make no mistake about it 2400/2500 to the dollar is where Colombia can compete with China and the rest ..

Ceviche/Filet Miñon: .. You crack me up Art ! Whats new in the Bad Lands ?

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ColombianoGringo says on May 23, 2007, 08:49:

This blows! I have to pay for a vacation package in pesos today. This weak dollar is kicking my ass.

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Cali2005 says on May 23, 2007, 09:10:

It is not just Colombia - Dollar is heavy & falling world wide Despite many economic factors the federal bank of colombia has sited alot of direct cash investments in colombia. Were talking about the big movers and shakers that play with world wide investments.

This pattern is seen across the world with china, and brazil for example. Brazil has a much larger economy than Colombia due to its size and rich lands similar to Colombia. Brazil has seen a dramitic gain in value of the "Real" over the dollar in the same time period as Colombia.

So as Colombia has raised interest rates to 8.25% as the federal benchmark, and started buying dollars to slow inflation, it is unfortunate because the dollar is falling GLOBALLY. Even the US Treasury department was reported to be buying dollars and selling pesos (shorting or buying options?...im not a stock broker.

However, the world economy is a bull that is not controlled by governments.

People think realestate can only go up here? Well if foreign investors stop buying property, then people can't sell. What happens next? Prices go down.

I wont be renting an aparment in the same neighborhood i live in. I will be moving across town, or getting a roomate. I damn sure am not paying the same rent i was paying in Miami.

Just be warry of investments when people say the value can only go up. What goes up must come down. I remember the peak of realestate 2 years ago in miami, and the peak of the internet in 1997.

If the peso drops to 1 to 1,000 ratio, forget about the cheap price of living.

This is a world economy, and what happens in one country affects another. Although it takes a couple years for the dominos to fall.

BOTTOM LINE:
I WILL STILL BE AROUND BECAUSE OF THE GREAT CULTURE, AND THE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN COLOMBIA.


Viva Colombia

Medellin Apartments and Tours http://www.MedellinApartments.INFO

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cayita says on May 23, 2007, 09:20:

Yep and it is just that kind of thinking that it is a dollar problem that has kept the Colombian people from demanding for action. Look at the other currencies in the world before you blame it all on the dollar. How rediculous, the REAL has strengthened against the dollar and the Euro and the Pound, etc. Same as the Colombian peso has done. Yes over recent years the dollar has fallen this is true but not the problem. We can absorb a weak dollar as it fluctuates and that is not the problem that is devistating us. The dollar weakness and listen closely. IS ALSO FELT BY OUR COMPETITION. THE PESO STRENGTH IS WHAT KEEPS US FROM BEING COMPETATIVE NOT DOLLAR WEAKNESS.

We could expand in Europe and offset our dollar losses or absorb the dollar weakness for a time, even years. BUT what is happening is the peso is strengthening against all major currencies. The dollar is used as a benchmark to measure this move but just take a look at how it has moved against other currencies. This we can not absorb, a weak dollar and a strong peso. It is killing us.

But continue to blame it all on the dollar and that way our government will not have to accept responsibility for the problem. That ignorance is the problem.

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scotty says on May 23, 2007, 11:08:

i just sent some greenbacks via money gram to Colombia and they quoted me 1950.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Lowell says on May 23, 2007, 18:08:

meanwhile my attempt to assist a family of 9 gets harder each month on my pension. may the persons responsible burn forever in hell.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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arthur brode says on May 23, 2007, 18:19:

9?! nothing personal.but you are foked .

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 23, 2007, 18:42:

Scotty, i tried to send some wetbacks via Western Union to Colombia, and it wouldnt go through....maybe it was my credit card???? jajajaj...i know, bad joke...no donut......


Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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allucas says on May 23, 2007, 19:46:

news from ap

7 minutes ago

Colombia announced capital controls on some foreign investments Wednesday to try to curb the soaring peso, which has made greater gains against the dollar this year than any other currency.

Finance Minister Oscar Zuluaga said that starting immediately, foreign portfolio investors will be required to deposit 40 percent of their investments in non-interest-bearing accounts in the Central Bank for six months. The measure is designed to absorb a surfeit of dollars and discourage speculative financial transactions.

The controls complement similar actions announced May 6 by the Central Bank to freeze 40 percent of offshore loans and deposits repatriated by local companies. The monetary authority has also steadily ratcheted up interest rates to blunt a resurgence of inflation.

Despite those measures, Colombia's peso has strengthened 5 percent in the past three weeks and 14 percent since the start of the year — more than any other currency in the world. On Tuesday, the peso reached a seven-year high of 1,954 to the dollar.

The measures are backed by conservative President Alvaro Uribe, who said Tuesday that "the government must defend exporters' revenues, taking measures to avoid speculative capital that continues to erode our exchange rate."

The potent mix of inflation and a strong peso are hurting flower growers and other major exporters, which are forced to pay more for materials and wages even as margins on their dollar revenues shrink.

The Central Bank said Tuesday that Colombia has received $5.5 billion in net capital inflows so far this year, up from just $360 million in the same period a year ago. A little more than half of that came from direct foreign investment, which economists say is the main force behind the peso's sharp rise.

Colombia's economy expanded 7 percent in 2006 and is expected to surpass 5.5 percent growth this year.

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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goin_south says on May 23, 2007, 22:00:

I know nothing,..... but, I'm jus guessing the raping will stop at about ...
between 1750 and 1800 pesos per dollar.
How long can ya hang like that?
At least I am predicting it will have begun to level out around there, looking backwards, a year from now.

But, ... remember ... I NO NOTHING.

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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cayita says on May 24, 2007, 02:58:

maybe I am just ignorant? "The monetary authority has also steadily ratcheted up interest rates to blunt a resurgence of inflation."

Can someone tell me how ratcheting up interest rates lead to a weak currency? With so much liquidity in the world today you are just inviting forign investment with that. I seem to recall a class or two in economics and yes raising interest rates can be used to fight inflation but it also increases the value of your currency by attracting forign investment.

If in Colombia the strong peso is causing the inflation which it sure looks to be the case to me then raising interest rates in this economy is NOT going to lower the peso and thus not lower inflation. The truth is this government wants a strong peso. There are benifits and negatives to havng that. They are not being honest in true polital form as to the fact that they have accepted the negatives and prefer the benifits.

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Brians says on May 24, 2007, 04:49:

That is the problem the Colombian Central Bank can't raise interest rates. This is a problem. The inflation rate through April was 4.11%. That is almost double what we expect to see the total year in the USA. This was also significantly higher than the 6.26% move over the previous 12 months. Therefore inflation is really picking up in Colombia. They want to get things slowed down. Inflation is very difficult to control once it starts and is why the US Fed is so diligent in monitoring that first. Now with that type of inflation their currency should have fallen but is has not. It has increase because of the amount of money pouring in from worldwide liquidity. This is a really big problem. This is a time bomb ticking for the Peso. If inflation starts to build momentum then the Colombian Central Bank will be in a very very difficult situation. If you compount this with a reversal of liquidity you will see a major revaluation of the Peso. This is a bubble ready to pop. I don't know how far the Peso will travel before this reversal but fundamentals will eventually take over. However I believe that Colombia will have to just raise rates and hope that the currency does not kill this economy.

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Ctg Bound says on May 24, 2007, 04:52:

cayita They are raising interest rates to damp down inflation as they say, one of the side effects of this is that you make your currency more attractive to bond investors.

Keeping a lid on inflation is more important that an appreciating currency, other policy instruments will have to be used with regards the currency, not that they will have a major impact in my opnion, the Colombian and World economy are pushing the peso up at the moment, until that changes any goverment intervention in whatever form will have a limited impact.

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Ctg Bound says on May 24, 2007, 04:56:

Brians I cant see the peso strength killing the Colombian economy, if it was a purely the Colombian Peso gaining in strength, Colombia would have major problems, but it isn't, their competitors in export markets that they mostly compete in are gaining in strength as well.

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Brians says on May 24, 2007, 05:24:

Maybe I don't know about that and won't comment my point is only that they are definately losing jobs because of this Peso. My wife's family has a banana company and a plastics company. They were complaining that the Peso could bankrupt them at 2,200. I haven't spoken to them about business in awhile but I am sure it is not good. Anyway inflation is definately picking up and they do not want a stronger Peso. This is a tricky path that needs to be navigated. I really don't know how this can end pretty.

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Waterdawg says on May 24, 2007, 07:24:

Brians If they don't get a handle on the " Peso Drop " the only product they will be able to export will be " Cocaine " .. This County will not be able to Compete with China and the rest ! You talk about the bottom dropping out !

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Brians says on May 24, 2007, 07:45:

Canada has a lot of good things going for it right now. They have a balanced budget and a trade surplus. Inflation is in check and growth is good. Colombia is a different type of country which is trying to diversify. There has been a ton of new investment into the country over the last few years and this is developing new industries. Unfortunately they still have a large export base than is getting crimped. They have an overheating economy creating inflation as well as a real concern about a budget deficit if US aid is cut. Add in the possibility of a trade deficit if trends continue and then you have problems.

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el_canuck says on May 24, 2007, 08:03:

Currencies Everyone should just go back to the gold standard so central bankers and governments can't manipulate exchange rates.

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cayita says on May 24, 2007, 08:29:

I think maybe it is time to give some credit where it is due. If it were not for that aid you would not have the security that you have here in Colombia in this moment. I don't know too many Colombians that would dissagree with that. But on here I don't know... Uribe and anyone who is anyone here in Colombia has said that in order for economic growth we need security. This is a no brainer. Plan Colombia helped bring this to Colombia. To argue that point I will not since it is not debatable and I don't debate facts.

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cayita says on May 24, 2007, 09:38:

I rarely resond to a person who uses such profanity but here is "Cayita how the fuck could you even LIVE there if you really thought that Colombia has no chance of establishing and maintaining public order without money from outside? If I had such a pessimistic opinion of the country and I were in your shoes I'd smuggle myself out in a fucking suitcase!!"


BECAUSE I AM COLOMBIA AND COLOMBIA IS MY COUNTRY AND I LOVE MY COUNTRY! I might add that running away never solved anythng.

But I know you are very very wrong in your views and maybe someday you will educate yourself to the truth. Hope so soon. ;)

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calikitty1 says on May 24, 2007, 09:38:

BUT! (Potty Mouth) You Do. "If I had such a pessimistic opinion of the country and I were in your shoes I'd smuggle myself out in a fucking suitcase!!"

BTW you have NEVER been to Cali.

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pedro says on May 24, 2007, 09:40:

Rubito When giving credit to your Bogota boys, you forgot to mention Uribe, who was governor of Antioquia for a time during the improvement. Are you giving him credit too for the improvements in Antioquia?

que nota!

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cayita says on May 24, 2007, 09:53:

I may not know anything but I will say this. There is no way that local officials created the security we are enjoying today. I was right here in Colombia and with my own eyes saw the security go from the countryside to the cities. You can not have security in the cities if you don't have it in the countryside. I would imagine it goes the other way as well.

I also have lived through the days that Rubito worships where we negotiated with these murders and patted their little heads, I guess he was in Canada in those days cause talking with these murders does not work. Policing them does not work either nor does polital action. It takes boots on the ground and those boots have US stamped all over them.

It concerns me that someone living in the US does not appreciate the help their own country gave here. Sure you can find a University profesor here and there who thinks like Rubito but they are not in touch with mainstream Colombians I can tell you that much. But if Americans don't understand Plan Colombia then what? I mean you should be on the cheering side their is enough people around to throw water on it.

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elreydelostrolls says on May 24, 2007, 19:15:

Most Americans think Plan Colombia is the biggest boondoggle outside of Iraq. Maybe we'll elect a US government that actually represents the people who voted for it.

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Gomezman5 says on May 24, 2007, 19:50:

It's fashionable for Americans to blame America Cayita, I can't explain it but it is very fashionable for American to blame their country for everything. I used to think it was the "I hate Bush" mantra that got meshed with the country they live in, making it appear as though these people hate the US when they really only hated Bush. Now I see it's not the case.

Their are a whole lot of Colombians and Americans alike that like to minimize the role of Plan Colombia and the financial assistance it has provided. These fools by the way, are the same people that say if it was not for American assistance, Israel would have been wiped out years ago. (which is true). But you cannot have it both ways. You cannot say that Israel, the number one recipient of US aide, could not exist without the US, and then in the same breath say that Colombia, the number 3 recipient of US aide, is seeing better times, but that it has nothing to do with US assistance. To even suggest such a nothing is just silly. Colombia is better these days, and anyone with an ounce of common sense has to recognize that the US is one of the main reasons that such is the case. These foolish blowhards on this site, that know squat about what they say, pontificate because it makes them feel good to say that Colombia is good enough to "go it alone" (hardly). However, Colombia's own leaders, regularly come to Washington on bended knee, making sure that the money keeps flowing. The number one character who due to excessive knee bending is Uribe himself. In fact, between him and Pastrana, their knees have bent so many times, both of them should be consulting a physician for knee replacements. Heck, it was not too long ago that Colombia's on vice president or foreign minister....someone of import, was quoted as saying that if it was not for the US aide, Colombia would be another Sudan. Of course when I put that article up here, the clowns representing the upper eschelons of the Go Go Colombia club were very critical of what the guy said. Of course they attacked me for posting the article. Like I care what these "know Nothings" say.

I do find it funny though that while people today seem to associate Plan Colombia with that terrible guy named Bush, it was their hero Clinton that and not Bush that started this major expenditure. And, if I may add, he was around the second year it was renewed....maybe even the third as well.

As to the falling Peso......well....hey, in 1994, I remember the sign in the Avianca board in Unicentro (Bog) had the exchange rate of 1-850. I lived like again back then at that exchange rate. If it goes that low today, there are going to be a lot of people on this site that really will be Poor, but very unhappy living in Colombia.

Hope for the best. I certainly don't want to see that disaster happen.

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elreydelostrolls says on May 24, 2007, 19:54:

"If it goes that low today, there are going to be a lot of people on this site that really will be Poor, but very unhappy living in Colombia."

I'd love to see it. All those worthless gringos moping and whining and being forced to look for some other cheap two bit Third World paradise. They'll be using their worthless greenbacks to wipe their asses because they can't afford toilet paper.

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arfgoblue says on May 24, 2007, 21:33:

calikitty is right... i will be the first to say that cali is not my piece of cake, but you make it sound like baghdad in your earlier post rubito. perhaps you should visit before drawing such generalizations....

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arfgoblue says on May 24, 2007, 22:10:

well... some parts are not too hot, and definitely the crime statitics are higher than bogota, but there are good parts and bad parts. it is just like comparing suba with the north of bogota...

if you want to see horrible (and with good reason with the amount of drugs flowing through) is buenaventura. it is the only colombian city that i have visited that has truly fely unsafe. statistics bear it out too, with a murder rate more than 7 x bogota´s.

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calikitty1 says on May 25, 2007, 06:46:

Who Is Posting Under Rubito's Name??? That could not be the real Rubito's post. The word "fuck"was not used at least three times. I will give him credit being able to use "asshole, shit and fuck" as nouns, verbs and adjectives.

To answer Rubito's question in another tirade I am not male but a female. I chose to write in English rather than Spanish out of courtesy to others who may not be able to read Spanish. There is an Español forum for that. But I will admit your conversational Spanish is excellent

Yes I am aware of Bogotá as that is where attended the university I got my degree and I have relatives there. At least I did not learn about that city as you did about Cali from reading comments on this forum.

" I AM about half a year away from PERMANENTLY moving to Bogota. Maybe you've heard of Bogota, it's the hamlet of 7 million people in the Andes where i have BOUGHT A CONDO??"

That makes YOU an EXPERT? I am sure all the Rolos in Bogotá are waiting for your arrival so you can personally lead them out of the wilderness and back into the sunshine(when there is any).

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pedro says on May 25, 2007, 11:21:

Uribe in Antioquia As always, not a bad idea to start with Wikipedia and then drill down as necessary.

The results of his governorship would include, according to statistics provided by the governor's office and contemporary analysts, a 34% reduction of the department's bureaucracy and 35% of the vehicles in official use. 102,000 new school slots were created by contracting private schools and 40,000 people were trained in peaceful conflict negotiation. It is claimed that 1,200,000 poor people entered into the subsidized health system, that 939 km of roads were paved (which would allegedly be more than half of the total road distance paved in Antioquia to that date), that available telephone lines were also doubled and an increasing number of school scholarships were awarded. He is also credited with a 60% reduction in kidnappings, providing safety to the roads connecting Medellín and the capital of Bogotá and with slashing numerous expenses that allowed for administrative savings.

So from now on Rubito, will you be saying "Mockus, Penalosa and Uribe" in the same breath?

que nota!

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poco says on May 25, 2007, 18:30:

I dare I DARE anybody to come on here and say something stupid like that aid goes ANYWHERE else but the pockets of big US multinationals.

I dare because the facts are quite different.

WAY more than 80% of the total 2006 allotment goes DIRECTLY to the Colombian Government and they are not hiring any multinationals or their employees in any amount that can be equated to more than “A DROP IN THE BUCKET�.

Just so you know, I can find almost ZERO dollars going to multinationals.

Just because you say it does not make it true. However I can see where making these statements feeds an obviously conspiracy oriented personality.

Don’t believe me ? Go to the CIP organization and dig out the facts. I DARE YOU to show any significant percentage of the allotment going to multinationals.

By now you should be aware that spouting off self delusions does not cut it on the net. Opinions are OK but I’d stay away from facts that are compiled by reputable NGO’s and accessible to anyone with a computer.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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poco says on May 25, 2007, 20:20:

A clueless statment OK so it goes to the government. And then where, to a fucking mutual fund?

No, I'd say ZERO goes to mutual funds. How weak your statment is. Much of it goes to pay for military operations, read this to be salaries and equipment to fund MULTIPLE divisions. These divisions help assure Colombia can continue as a democratic country.

Need help reading the link?

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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Buongone says on May 26, 2007, 02:48:

Peso at 1700/Ikobo My novia told me about 3 months ago, that she heard the Peso would drop to 1700. I'll have to ask her. Where she heard it. She has been telling me things are getting alot more expensive. Like plain staples, and gas, etc. I just wired some money via IKOBO. And they quoted 1932. And still dropping. Western Union will not do any transactions. They said they had a problem. Thats BS. Ikobo is a lot cheaper too. You sign up. Open an account. They Fed Ex her a debit card good for just the Ikobo account. You drop money in the account. Then she can go get money at any ATM. No long lines, like at Cashpin, or Western Union. Ikobo takes about a week to get the card to Cali. I like it. MC, check it out. www.Ikobo.com, they are out of Atlanta.

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cayita says on May 26, 2007, 07:07:

.

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calikitty1 says on May 26, 2007, 08:47:

As Long As You Read. Rubito's inaccurate, uninformed and misleading posts, and as usual you will see, add nothing but his personal views. What does, "I STUDIED HISTORY" (IN CAPS, OF COURSE), have to do with making what you say more creditable? At least his use of the word "fuck" does make him believable . That and the fact that he has apparently much hate for every formal government in the world. This is the same (DELETED) that smugly advised all that he can ride his bicycle from down town La Candelaria barrio of Bogotá to the Zona Rosa in ten minute-then admitting he has never done this feat of bike riding.

In fact I doubt he has spent more then four or five weeks total in Colombia. Several years ago he was planing his first trip. He holds forth on Cali-never been there-Barranquilla-never been there-Medellin-never been there, on and on.

Since he has chose to attack me personally (Gasp, I dared to disagree with Sr. Colombia) I will read carefully and correct when necessary WITHOUT the use of Gutter Language.

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griffbos says on May 26, 2007, 08:54:

Peso gains actualy the dollar has fallen from 2400( not counting they spike of 2600 last July) to not 1934 as of friday, the EURO has taken a simlar hit, what I hear it is causing major job lost in Colombia over 81,000 jobs this year.

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griffbos says on May 26, 2007, 08:55:

are you sending dollars to be changed to pesos?

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griffbos says on May 26, 2007, 09:04:

by increasing interest rates you slow the your economy thus you slow the in flow of investments which increases the demand for pesos which push up it's value is the simple way to lok at it. itis happening thru out south america but more so in Colombia which is considered friendly to the investments and more stable at this time. how far the dollar falls is any ones guess, I have heard predictions of 800 peso to the dollar is possible. this of course would be bad news if it does happen.

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goin_south says on May 26, 2007, 10:27:

Let's jus get it back to 2000:1 to keep the math simple for the simpleton gringo minds ;)

Voy por del Sur

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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goin_south says on May 26, 2007, 10:27:

like mine Voy por del Sur

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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poco says on May 29, 2007, 17:00:

Contractors are everywhere The link you used was 2001, probably compiled from 2000 data. If you wish to review data that is 6 years old then that is OK because it does show your lack of understanding.

http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/contractors.htm OLD LINK.

i.e. money is finding its way into some scumbags' pockets along the way too

How do you think things happen ? The government ?

There are untold 100's of MILLIONS of Contractors and their employees in the world. Colombias economy is moving more to contractors. You build a home/office building/road/bridge, the list is endless and it is all done by Contractors.

A contract is given for a specific project. I believe you have little or no knowledge about contracts, why they are used and for what purpose. I’d venture to say ALL the work done for some industries is performed by contractors.

Someone needs a pilot then the easiest way is to contract.

Do you propose hiring a Colombian crop spray plane pilot? What do you pay ? Oh,, pay him more and now everyone wants more money.

Lay him off when he’s done.

OH – OH,, severance pay, benefits, pension, potential disability? Potential death? Claims, payouts, spouse benefits. Gezzz, this can quickly become a mess.

Or

Pay a contractor and send him on his way when he’s finished and/or let the prime contractor deal with any potential “messes�.

Once more, you have NOT furnished any data that indicates any substantial money is going to multinationals.

It appears the money is going somewhere you personally don’t want it spent. Is it OK if Colombia buys something they don’t produce,, like almost everything that is required to complete a contract or buildout their infrastructure?

This is a world economy, get used to it.

This is a link to a JUST THE FACTS page. OK, show me what lots of money goes to the multinationals.

Plan Colombia JUST THE FACTS Click on this.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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poco says on May 29, 2007, 19:36:

Still nothing but talk But I give up. Speak English or die.

You have not backed up this statement.

I DARE anybody to come on here and say something stupid like that aid goes ANYWHERE else but the pockets of big US multinationals

Is this like one of your statments that "No one in the world makes xxxx dollars"?

I know where a lot of it goes. To pay salaries for multiple Colombian Military Divisions.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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poco says on May 29, 2007, 20:21:

More inaccurate statements by the Curse Meister Companies who benefit from Plan Colombia are Halliburton, Bechtel, Monsanto, among a few others.

I do not think Halliburton has had or has ANY contracts with PLAN COLOMBIA, Maybe you can show me different,, I'd bet it is as big as your head.

Halliburton owns KRB ie: Brown & Root and MW Kellogg. Brown and Root (or Bechtel) is one of the worlds most qualified Construction Contractor.

MW Kellogg was one of the first, if not the first company to get an LARGE ENGINEERING CONTRACT with China,, I believe the year was 1976. BTW: Britain had contracts with China in the 60’s.

You should soundly curse these contractors, you know those scumbag Engineers, Designers, Schedulers, Craft etc. Imagine that, seems MW Kellogg was doing pretty good decades before Halliburton purchased them.

Halliburton spun of KRB this year and their NEW CORPORATE offices will be in Dubai. I think only rich people will live in Dubai, you know, those who don’t smoke pot and are RELIABLE and can perform a task other than eating beans and farting.

Halliburton (Brown and Root) has a 60 YEAR history of contracting with the Military. How about that, I guess the military doesn’t have a HUGE staff standing around waiting to build something?

Getting Rich? I don’t think Halliburton has EVER done all that well. This is a chart stacking them up against their peers. Halliburton is bright yellow.


Tell me why Halliburton was the WORST performing stock from 2001 to 2005 ? Frankly, even now Dresser is the worst performer followed by the EVIL Halliburton.

I threw in Valero. Can you imagine if Cheney was the EX of that company?

Let me know if you can understad this. The small symbols are the stock designations.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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juancegomez says on May 29, 2007, 23:48:

poco I would just like to quote CIP's Adam Isacson on something:

"Don’t believe the hype. Yes, Plan Colombia has had a few limited successes, such as a modest drop in coca-growing. Colombian President �lvaro Uribe – using his own resources almost entirely – has meanwhile improved some measures of security, particularly in densely populated areas. But after $4.7 billion in appropriations since January 2000, the results of U.S. aid to Colombia have been remarkably disappointing."

And:

"The big difference in security is that the FARC are kidnapping less and have been forced away from most zones that are densely populated. This improvement in security in more-populated areas can’t be attributed to U.S. aid. Our assistance has focused overwhelmingly on drug eradication and pipeline-protection (with only modest success) in less-populated areas. Protecting Colombians? Colombia has had to do that with its own money."

Posted by: Adam Isacson | January 18, 2006 at 09:09 PM

http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2006/01/did_plan_colomb.html

That seems to indicate that some people at CIP don't interpret those tables and numbers exclusively as "dollars flowing to the Colombian government's coffers" and nothing else at all. I believe there's probably more variety to it.

There are other (better even) quotes, on CIP's own website even (and its own Plan Colombia-related blog), but I can't look for them right now (it's getting rather late here...or actually "early", I suppose...).

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inspectorjavert says on May 31, 2007, 13:25:

Article in Businessweek This is a great article, not sure if it was already posted or made the rounds yet here:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_22/b4036001.htm?campaign_id=rss_null

It pretty much spells out what is going on, and how it may pan out. As for me, I am a gringo who has been living in Pereira for the past 18 months. I bought an apartment Downtown, across from Andina University, and I have yet to hear anyone say I made a bad investment. Time will tell.
As much as I love Colombia, I can say I have been to Cali, and it could use some work. Now that they are installing the MIO bus transportation system throughout the city, something might take place, but of all the cities I have been to, I still have to say I like Pereira more than the others. I can only hope this strong peso stops its climb sometime soon. Contrary to what some are saying here, the casa de cambios as well as coffee exports, flower growers and a slew of other companies are indeed getting their asses handed to them. A strong peso is good for absolutely no one.

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