Colombia faces a power struggle between Marxist rebels, drug cartels, and an insufficient democratic government led by President Andres Pastrana. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), formed in 1964 as a military wing of the Communist Party, uses terrorist tactics and recruits child soldiers to fight the government. There is an established connection between FARC and drug cartels, where FARC provides military protection for drug operations in exchange for payments. Extreme poverty, a weak government unable to provide assistance, and political instability have contributed to the rise of illegal groups and ongoing violence plaguing Colombia.
![Power Struggle ,[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)