As you all know, Colombia is a rich land with a talented people. It abounds in opportunity. Colombia's middle class is in jeopardy. Thousands are leaving their homes and moving to more stable countries. These people are the doctors, educators, and businessmen upon whom modern democratic societies depend.
International businesses are also under siege in Colombia.
Colombia has benefited from immense foreign investment from Europe and the United States. These companies have been attracted to the educated workforce, the stable economy, and Colombia's wealth of natural resources. Each of us knows the answer. It is not because the people of Colombia cannot grow and prosper. Over the past year I have spoken to the President on a number of occasions about the growing crisis in Colombia.