Concise History of Colombia

Colombia is a country in South America, characterized by its cultural diversity and the mix of different human groups.
Despite its cultural wealth, it has faced difficult moments in its history.

The primitive inhabitants arrived more than 20,000 years ago, and began to establish settlements approximately 6,000 years ago.
These communities belonged to various tribes, which throughout history left a linguistic legacy that includes:
- Arawak
- Caribs
- Chibchas
Before the arrival of the colonizers, the inhabitants lived off agriculture and trade between small communities, without competing with the great civilizations of Mexico and Peru.

Christopher Columbus never set foot in Colombia; however, the country takes its name from him.
The first European to arrive was Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, during his second voyage with Columbus.
The arrival of the Spaniards marked the beginning of many expeditions in the region.
1525: Rodrigo de Bastidas founded Santa Marta, the oldest European settlement in South America still in existence.
1533: Pedro de Heredia founded Cartagena de Indias, which became the main commercial center on the Colombian coast.
With Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, the conquest and foundation of Santa Fe began, taking advantage of the rivalry among the Muisca clans of Bogotá and Tunja.

1564: The Royal Audience of the New Kingdom of Granada is created, which has military and civil power.
The New Kingdom of Granada encompasses the current territories of Panama, Venezuela, and much of Colombia.
The population diversifies with the arrival of African slaves, who eventually outnumber the indigenous people over time.
A new social class appears, the Creoles, who are whites born in America to Spanish parents.

In 1717, Felipe V redefines the territorial division, creating New Granada and naming Santa Fe (Bogotá) as the capital of the vice-royalty.
The botanical expedition led by José Celestino Mutis stands out, classifying more than 20,000 plant species and 7,000 animal species.
Additionally, the first astronomical observatory is founded in Santa Fe de Bogotá.

The Colombian coasts suffer attacks from the British navy.
The siege of Cartagena de Indias stands out, where 3,000 Spanish soldiers defeated a British fleet of 30,000 men and 186 ships.

Spanish rule generates discontent due to trade monopolies and new taxes, leading to the Comunera Revolution in 1781, promoted by Manuela Beltrán.
The arrival of the French revolutionary spirit, evidenced in the translation of The Rights of Man by Antonio Nariño, inspires a series of uprisings.

1810: Protests occur after a Spanish merchant refuses to lend a vase, leading to the first government council.
In December 1810, the first independence congress is held in Bogotá, dividing centralists and federalists.
In 1812, the figure of Simón Bolívar emerges, who leads the struggle for independence. After a series of victories, Bolívar defeats the Spanish forces in the Battle of Boyacá on August 7, 1819.

With the independence of Colombia, the Revolutionary Congress is convened in Angostura, proclaiming Gran Colombia, which includes Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador.
After the separation, Bolívar resigns the presidency in 1830.
Francisco de Paula Santander assumes the presidency in the Republic of New Granada, establishing order amid the turmoil.

In 1849, two parties are founded:
- Conservative (centralist)
- Liberal (federalist)
This generates a series of civil wars, Colombia suffered up to eight civil wars in the 19th century.
Slavery is abolished in 1851.

In 1899, a liberal revolt provokes the Thousand Days' War, a bloody conflict between liberals and conservatives with a toll of between 50,000 to 100,000 lives lost.
1903: Panama separates from Colombia, supported by economic interests from the U.S. due to the construction of the Panama Canal.

In the early 20th century, Colombia experiences a brief period of stability driven by coffee development.
The Great Depression of 1929 interrupts this growth, leading to new political instability.

In 1948, the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán generates an outbreak of violence known as the Bogotazo.
Polarization between liberals and conservatives intensifies with the rise of Laureano Gómez, whose dictatorial regime gives rise to another civil war.

In 1953, a military coup brought Gustavo Rojas Pinilla to power.
Pact of Sitges: Agreement between conservatives and liberals to alternate power for 12 years and exclude other parties.

Emergence of guerrilla bands like FARC, ELN, and M-19 in the 60s, as a response to state repression and the influence of the Cuban Revolution.
Support for guerrilla groups from peasants and indigenous people, while paramilitary groups supported by landowners and drug traffickers appear.

In the 80s, the influence of drug cartels like the Medellín Cartel led by Pablo Escobar permeates political levels.
Escobar obtains a seat in the Senate in 1982.
In response to drug trafficking, the Extradition Law is enacted and the war on drugs begins.

1991: New constitution marks an attempt to reconstruct the country post-war.
Ernesto Samper faces a corruption scandal for receiving funds from the Cali Cartel.

The Andrés Pastrana government attempts a dialogue with the FARC, but failures increase violence.
Álvaro Uribe is elected in 2002, opting for an anti-guerrilla policy that leads to a perceived improvement in the country's security.

Uribe's regime faces criticism due to the false positives scandal, in which the army is accused of killing civilians and labeling them as fallen guerrillas.
Juan Manuel Santos, Uribe's Minister of Defense, later becomes president and eliminates guerrilla leaders like Alfonso Cano.

In 2016, the peace agreement with the FARC is signed, although a subsequent plebiscite rejects the agreement.

The government of Iván Duque is marked by scandals and social protests between 2018 - 2021. - Demands against the tax reform, the peace process, and police repression.
In 2022, Gustavo Petro is elected as the first leftist president of Colombia, marking the beginning of a new era in the country.