At the time of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World, Colombia was home to several Amerindian peoples. None of these native peoples could overcome the Spanish conquistadores, who arrived in the early 1500s.

Colombia became part of the Spanish viceroyalty of New Granada, which encompassed present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. Bogotá was designated the capital of the entire viceroyalty in 1717. Along with other colonies, Colombia sought independence from Spain at the beginning of the nineteenth century. In 1810, under its first president, Simón Bolívar, Colombia defied Spanish authority, and full independence was proclaimed in 1813.

Bolívar also founded Colombia’s Conservative Party; his rivals founded the Liberals. This rivalry contributed to Colombia’s eight civil wars. These two parties continue to this day and have frequently alternated as the party in power.

Gran Colombia broke up in 1830 into Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia. Panama

became Colombia’s northernmost province. Panama remained a part of Colombia until 1903, when it broke away with the support of the United States.

After the assassination of a Liberal leader, the most violent of the Colombian civil wars erupted in 1948. Known as La Violencia, 300,000 Colombians died in the fighting. With the country on the verge of breaking apart, members of both the Liberal and Conservative parties supported a military coup by General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Colombia’s only military junta of the twentieth century. He remained in power from 1953 to 1957. Elections returned in 1957, although the choice was limited to approved Liberal and Conservative candidates. For the first time, women were allowed to vote in Colombia. Over the next sixteen years, the two major parties shared political power, with the presidency alternating between the Liberals and the Conservatives. All other political parties were 106 Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands

suppressed, contributing to the eventual growth of guerrilla movements. This sharing of power is known as the National Front; they renewed their power-sharing agreement in 1974.

During the 1980s, the rise of the narcotraficantes, with their enormous wealth and power, threatened to undermine the authority of the Colombian government. Guerrillas, such as the M-19 group, also fought the government.

In 1984, the narcotraficantes finally went too far when they assassinated Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara Bonilla. In response, the Colombian government finally began to extradite Colombian narcotraficantes wanted for trial by the United States. These drug lords, who become known as Los Extraditables, alternated violence with bribes to avoid being extradited. They even offered to pay off Colombia’s entire U.S.$13 billion foreign debt. (The offer was declined.)

In November of 1985, the M-19 guerrillas occupied the Colombian Palace of Justice in Bogotá. Government troops defeated the occupiers, but the fighting caused the death of over 100 people, including eleven justices of the Colombian Supreme Court. Following this event, paramilitary death squads were formed to execute government opponents. Open elections were finally held in 1990, allowing the participation of candidates from outside the National Front. Some former guerrillas were elected, and violence by many guerrilla organizations ceased. The last of the well-known narcotraficantes, Medellín Cartel leader Pablo Escobar, was killed in 1993. The new Cartel leaders learned to keep a lower profile and were less likely to assassinate government officials.

Type of Government

The Republic of Colombia is a unitary, multiparty republic with two legislative houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. There is also a judiciary branch. The president is elected to a single four-year term and cannot succeed himself. The president is both chief of state and head of the government.

The rule of government in Bogotá does not reach all of Colombia. For the past few

decades, armed guerrilla groups have set up de facto governments in large areas of the Colombian countryside.

Language

The official language of Colombia is Spanish (which they call Castellano, not Español). Colombians have many regional terms, which are collectively known as colombianismos. English is not widely spoken, although some international business executives speak it. Colombia has a substantial Amerindian population, and the country’s rugged geography resulted in the evolution of many isolated linguistic groups, many of whom speak only their indigenous languages. An estimated half-million Colombians speak an Amerindian tongue as their first language.

Counting Spanish, the Amerindian tongues, and various imported languages—such as Creole and Romany, the language of the Rom (Gypsies)—linguists have identified ninetyeight languages in Colombia. Of these, twenty are now considered extinct.

The Colombian View The vast majority (90 percent) of Colombians are Roman Catholic. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Protestant groups are making inroads, especially Pentecostalists.

If geography is destiny, then Colombia’s geography accounts for much of the country’s uniqueness. Colombia borders Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. It is the only South American country to have coasts on both the Caribbean and the Pacific. Furthermore, Colombia’s mountainous interior isolates regions from each other. One has to expect diversity in such an environment.

While the United States has a history of intervention throughout Latin America, its effect on Colombia is unique. The United States prompted the removal of Panama from Colombia in 1903 to facilitate the building of the Panama Canal. Today, the United States is increasingly involved in Colombian interior affairs as the central government attempts to regain control of the countryside and reduce narcotics trafficking. Consequently, Colombians see the United States as both a savior and a demon.

As for Colombia’s drug trade, smuggling didn’t start with marijuana and cocaine. The illegal export of Colombian emeralds and exotic birds has been occurring for decades. 

Smuggling occurs in the other direction as well. Onerous taxes (as high as 36 percent) on imported goods have made it profitable to smuggle consumer goods into Columbia. 

Know Before You Go

As previously noted, the major hazard to foreign visitors is kidnapping. (Many Colombians have been kidnapped and held for ransom as well.) Colombia is one of the countries where you should secure kidnap insurance before your visit.

Street crime, such as pickpocketing, is common in Colombian cities. Such crimes are usually nonviolent, except when an unwary traveler is drugged. Burundanga is a drug derived from a common Colombian tree. A full dose renders

a person unconscious. Burundanga has no taste or odor and can be added to almost anything you put in your mouth: candy, chewing gum, drinks, and even cigarettes. To avoid being drugged, avoid accepting anything from someone you

do not know.

Volcanic eruptions occur in the highlands. There are also periodic earthquakes and droughts. Due to vehicle emissions, the air quality in Bogotá is sometimes hazardous.The highlands of Colombia are elevated enough to cause altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can strike anyone, even if you have never experienced it before. There is no sure prevention except gradual acclimation to high elevation:

once you get to 6,000 feet above sea level, spend at least two nights there. Repeat this acclimation period at each increase of 3,000 feet. Alcohol consumption tends to make the symptoms worse. Sunburn is also a danger at high altitudes, because there is less atmosphere to protect you from the sun.

While they are not the pastimes of the upper classes, Colombians have a penchant for diversions that can cause injury or property damage. Urban Colombians like to set aloft hot air balloons made of paper; they often catch fire from the lit candle inside, raining down flaming debris. Papeletas are small, triangular bags filled with gunpowder, used in various games; although banned in some cities, they are still omnipresent.

Cultural Orientation

Cognitive Styles: How Colombians Organize and Process Information Colombia is a large and diverse nation with many cultural and linguistic groups. The following

information applies to the majority culture.

In Colombia one perceives an openness to discuss any topic, but do not expect attitudes to change based upon these discussions. Colombians process information primarily on a subjective, associative level unless they have extensive higher education. They tend not to abstract to higher principles but rather treat each situation as a unique experience.

Negotiation Strategies: What Colombians Accept as Evidence

Feelings are the primary source of truth. Colombians’ interpersonal reality is such that they will give you the “truth” as they think it should be or as you would like it to be. Thus, their  use of facts is nebulous. For the majority of Colombians, there are no ideologies strong enough to make faith a source of the truth.

Some sociologists believe that Colombians have a high level of uncertainty avoidance, although it is not out of line with other Latin American countries. This makes Colombians averse to risk and hesitant to accept change.

Value Systems: The Basis for Behavior

The effects of the drug cartels cut across all levels of Colombian society. The following three sections identify the Value Systems in the predominant culture—their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth.

Locus of Decision-Making

There are informal, yet very powerful decision-making groups called roscas. Individuals make their own decisions but are influenced by their need to satisfy their families or groups. 

Kinship plays a major role in one’s business associations because traditional elements of trust and mutual dependence among relatives are very strong, no matter how distant the relationship. The collectivist mindset is very much in evidence.

Sources of Anxiety Reduction

It is an individual’s role in the social structure and the presence of the extended family that gives a sense of stability to life. This also brings anxiety, as one must be a success in the eyes of both the extended family and society. There is a strong need for consensus in the group, but values differ with the situation, and the rules are learned only by experience.

Issues of Equality/Inequality

The economic and political elite are generally European in heritage. They handle most of the business, commerce, and industry. Society is very class-conscious and is stratified by skin color and class membership, with limited vertical mobility. Colombian women are among the most politically active in Latin America, in spite of cultural restrictions on their social and work behavior. On the other hand, Colombians still have one of the highest masculinity index levels in Latin America, which tends to ossify gender roles.

Business Practices

Punctuality, Appointments, and Local Time

● As a foreigner, you are expected to be punctual. Be on time for all business appointments.

● Colombians are not known for punctuality. They may arrive at a business meeting fifteen or twenty minutes late, yet feel they are on time. Do not expect them to apologize for being late.

● Even foreigners are expected to be late to social occasions. Arrive fifteen to thirty minutes late for a party; some Colombians will be a full hour late.

● Like many Europeans and South Americans, Colombians write the day first, then the month, then the year (e.g., December 3, 2010, is written 3.12.10 or 3/12/10).

● Schedule appointments at least one week before your arrival in Colombia. Do not depend upon regular mail service to arrange appointments; use the phone, e-mail, fax, or registered mail.

● Unless you are traveling only to the coastal lowlands, it is best to arrive a day early so that you can adjust to the high altitude. This is especially true in the capital, Bogotá, which is 8,600 feet (2,600 meters) above sea level.

● Colombia is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. –5), which is the same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

Negotiating

● Inland Colombians are among the most formal and traditional of Latin Americans. Only along the coast does a more relaxed attitude prevail.

● It will be difficult, if not impossible, to conduct business without hiring a local contact. This contact not only will introduce you to the Colombians you must deal with, but often will pick you up at the airport and reserve a room for you at a hotel as well. In most situations with the government, you will need to speak Spanish or have an interpreter. However, many businesspeople speak English.

● Never change the members of your negotiating team. Such a change could bring the negotiations to a halt. Colombians feel that they are negotiating with people, not a corporation.

● Expect delays. You should allocate a week in Colombia to accomplish something that would generally take several days in other countries.

● Avoid discussing politics, terrorism, or illegal drugs.

● Avoid unfavorable comparisons between your native country and Colombia.

● Colombians are very proud of their nation and its achievements. It is a good idea to be informed about Colombian culture, literature, and history, or, at least, to show curiosity about such things.

● Business cards printed in your native language on one side and the translation in Spanish on the other are most effective. These should be presented with the Spanish side facing your Colombian colleague.

Business Entertaining

● Lunch is the main meal of the day and is a popular choice for a business meal.

● Colombians have a tradition of hospitality and frequently invite guests to their homes.

● Let the host be the first to make a toast; then you might wish to make one.

● Theoretically, the person who has initiated the invitation will pay for a meal in a restaurant. In practice, you may have to fight for the check even when you issued the invitation.

● Leave a small amount of food on your plate to demonstrate that you have had enough to eat.

Cultural Note

Dinner is normally eaten between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., but a dinner party will begin and end later. Guests will not arrive until at least 8:00 p.m., and people will sit down to dinner anytime from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. Many people eat something before going to a dinner party so that they will not starve (or be drunk) by the time dinner begins. A dinner  party will end soon after the meal, but a cocktail party (with dancing) may go on until 5:00 a.m. Expect formal dress

for either event. 

Protocol

Greetings

● The standard greeting is the handshake. It is also used when departing.

● Among close friends, women may clasp forearms or kiss each other on one cheek. Men embrace and slap each other’s back; this manly hug is called the abrazo.

● Colombians often complain that North Americans and Europeans don’t know how to greet someone. Colombians take a long time in greetings; they feel that this conveys respect for the other person. After the handshake (or hug), Colombians ask numerouspolite questions. North Americans typically progress beyond the greeting phase after one or two questions. Expect inquiries as to your health, your trip, your relatives, and any friends or acquaintances you have in common. Don’t rush! Rushing is interpreted as callousness or disrespect.

Titles/Forms of Address

● Do not address a Colombian by his or her first name unless invited to do so. In general, only children, family members, and close friends address each other by their first names.

● See Appendix A for basic information on titles.

● The only professional title in common use is “Doctor” (Doctora for women). However, it is often applied to any accomplished or educated person, whether or not he or she has a PhD. Indeed, the poor often refer to any upper-class person as “Doctor.”

Gestures

● Colombians stand somewhat closer together when conversing than do North Americans. However, Colombians engage in less physical contact during conversations than some South Americans.

● The formality of inland Colombians extends to their mannerisms; they do not engage in expansive gestures and animation. Residents of the coastal regions tend to be more expressive and less formal.

● It is considered impolite to yawn in public.

● Colombians indicate that someone is stingy by tapping their fingers on their elbow.

● The North American “okay” gesture (thumb and forefinger curled into a circle) has a different meaning in Colombia. A Colombian places the circle over his nose to indicate that someone is homosexual.

● Bare feet are acceptable only at the beach. Slippers or sandals should be worn at all other times, even when going to or from the bathroom.

● In a restaurant, some Colombians summon a waiter by raising their hands over their head and clapping. Others use a hissing sound. Neither method is considered courteous, and both should be avoided by foreigners.

Gifts

● If you are given a gift, you should be very effusive in your thanks.

● When invited to a home for a meal, bring flowers, pastries, or chocolates. Avoid lilies and marigolds, which are used at funerals.

● You may give perfume to women.

● If you know you will meet a business associate’s family, it is a good idea to bring a gift for the children.

● Although gifts are always appreciated, a wrapped gift is generally not opened in the presence of the giver, because Colombians feel that this would make them appear greedy. Indeed, the gift may never be mentioned again. You can be sure, though, that it was noted and appreciated.

● Other good gifts are fine wines and liquors. Do not bring foreign beer; Colombia brews fine local beers.

Dress

● In general, formality increases as you move inland. The coastal resort areas are the most casual, and shorts may be worn in public there.

● On the coast, where it is hot, some men will wear a guayabera shirt to work, and women will wear sleeveless dresses. Foreigners, however, are expected to dress more formally for business meetings.

● Inland, it is important to adopt conservative business attire. Men should wear a jacket and tie even in hot weather. Suits in dark colors are preferred. Expect to wear the jacket and tie to social occasions as well.

● Women should dress conservatively and modestly. A suit or dress is appropriate for business, while a cocktail dress will be required for most social occasions.

● Although Colombia is an equatorial country, the high elevations of some cities result in cool weather. Wool sweaters or jackets are needed in Bogotá and sometimes in Medellín.

Cultural Note

Colombia is divided by three mountain ranges, and this has led to the development of strong regional movements. When these movements fail to find common ground with the government in Bogotá, guerrilla movements (usually left-wing) evolve. Some guerrilla movements accept government amnesty and become political parties, such as the April 19 Movement Democratic Alliance (a.k.a., M-19). Others continue to fight the government. The end of the Cold War also ended foreign subsidies for Marxist guerrillas; therefore, some have increasingly turned to kidnapping and drug smuggling to earn funds. However, there is no mistaking the guerrillas for the drug cartels; the late Pablo Escobar failed to convince anyone that his Medellín drug cartel was a political organization.