The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

Not Radically Worse

But things have not gotten radically worse. There are of course some added complications, around the edges.

Armed Commandos of the People

Where I live in Medellín, we've been without public transport on more than one occasion recently. The C.A.P. (Armed Commandos of the People) are a FARC-affiliated urban militia (gang?) that is quite active a little south-west of here. Last month, they celebrated their 6th birthday by trying to take the neighborhood of Belencito and declaring a "paro" (stop) of the busses. They killed one driver who defied the orders.

The Truth Lies Somewhere in Between

After a few days, the police and army got the situation in order and captured some 50 youths whom they claimed were CAP members. Some parents claimed the kids just happened to be on the street when the law showed up. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between.

The Conflict is a Distant Thing

Of course, one feels a bit more trepidation about going to places like the El Tesoro mall, or about using the Metro, or about leaving the city. But, as has always been the case with this conflict, one rarely sees it. One reads about it in the newspaper, sees occasional TV news footage of dead people, or hears from friends about kidnappings; but one rarely experiences the conflict directly. Its a distant thing, a little closer than the war in Afghanistan, but farther away than soccer or the dance clubs or even MTV.

Same Rules Apply, for Now

So the same rules still apply, at least for the next 15 minutes. Originally published on cyklotron.com 25 March 2002.