Colombia's Drug-fueled Civil War Is Infecting The Region

Colombia's civil war has turned personal for Otto Ramirez. The Venezuelan rancher, 57, never wanted any part of the armed conflict that has killed 35,000 Colombians over the past decade. Even so, he finally saw no choice but to fight-or give up his farm at the foot of the Andes, 100 kilometers from the Colombian border.

THE TROUBLE BEGAN last year when a Colombian guerrilla commander made the rounds of the local ranches, collecting thousands of dollars in protection money.

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