obviously the columbian groups are not what they once were, but to pretend that people down there don't still wield tremendous international power is a huge mistake. the groups have splintered and violence is not what it once was, but keep in mind that these guys have a huge advantage in that they produce the stuff there.

along with increased law enforcement operations, the tightening of the south florida/carribean entry points along with the rise of the mexicans who will always enjoy the advantage of their huge land boarders seriously damaged the columbians. still, like most large scale criminal organizations they adapted, increasingly focusing on the european market, as big if not bigger than the usa at least as far as cocaine in concerned.