Bert Ruiz is a former Wall Street executive and is current chairman of the Colombian American Association. In 1997, President Ernesto Samper presented Ruiz with the Republic of Colombia’s prestigious award, “La Orden Nacional al Mérito.” He lives in Bedford, New York.

“comprehensive analysis...essential reading”—Colombia Report; “well-researched and richly detailed”—The Dallas Morning News; “a succinct, well-written overview and analysis of Colombia’s chronic crisis...a disturbing portrait of what Colombia has become and what it could be”—The Charlotte Observer; “Fills an enormous vacuum. No other text in English provides such a full introduction to the complex, brutal conflict engulfing our neighbor to the south...compelling.”—Adam Isacson, Senior Associate, Center For International Policy; “A masterful job”—Steve Johnson, Policy Analyst for Latin America.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Introduction      1. The Red Carpet      2. They Fought Like Lions!      3. The Genesis of Violence      4. The Mistake from Hell      5. The Next Vietnam      6. Guerrillas at the Door      7. The War on Drugs      8. Death Squads      9. Northern Brothers      10. The Peacemaker      Afterword      Bibliography      Index

Bert Ruiz is a former Wall Street executive and is current chairman of the Colombian American Association. In 1997, President Ernesto Samper presented Ruiz with the Republic of Colombia’s prestigious award, “La Orden Nacional al Mérito.” He lives in Bedford, New York.

“comprehensive analysis...essential reading”—Colombia Report; “well-researched and richly detailed”—The Dallas Morning News; “a succinct, well-written overview and analysis of Colombia’s chronic crisis...a disturbing portrait of what Colombia has become and what it could be”—The Charlotte Observer; “Fills an enormous vacuum. No other text in English provides such a full introduction to the complex, brutal conflict engulfing our neighbor to the south...compelling.”—Adam Isacson, Senior Associate, Center For International Policy; “A masterful job”—Steve Johnson, Policy Analyst for Latin America.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Introduction      1. The Red Carpet      2. They Fought Like Lions!      3. The Genesis of Violence      4. The Mistake from Hell      5. The Next Vietnam      6. Guerrillas at the Door      7. The War on Drugs      8. Death Squads      9. Northern Brothers      10. The Peacemaker      Afterword      Bibliography      Index

Bert Ruiz is a former Wall Street executive and is current chairman of the Colombian American Association. In 1997, President Ernesto Samper presented Ruiz with the Republic of Colombia’s prestigious award, “La Orden Nacional al Mérito.” He lives in Bedford, New York.

“comprehensive analysis...essential reading”—Colombia Report; “well-researched and richly detailed”—The Dallas Morning News; “a succinct, well-written overview and analysis of Colombia’s chronic crisis...a disturbing portrait of what Colombia has become and what it could be”—The Charlotte Observer; “Fills an enormous vacuum. No other text in English provides such a full introduction to the complex, brutal conflict engulfing our neighbor to the south...compelling.”—Adam Isacson, Senior Associate, Center For International Policy; “A masterful job”—Steve Johnson, Policy Analyst for Latin America.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Introduction      1. The Red Carpet      2. They Fought Like Lions!      3. The Genesis of Violence      4. The Mistake from Hell      5. The Next Vietnam      6. Guerrillas at the Door      7. The War on Drugs      8. Death Squads      9. Northern Brothers      10. The Peacemaker      Afterword      Bibliography      Index