Its economy is diversified, fortifying a large middle class. There was the time a radio reporter dialed a rural mayor on his cellular telephone and asked him on the air about reports of rebel activity in his area. Gunfire suddenly erupted in the background. He calmly explained that he was shooting at marauding guerrillas but would be back on the air shortly. Rule-breaking is the national sport.
Motorists routinely back up on divided highways when they miss their exits.
Punishment is rare. Prosecutors solve barely 3 percent of homicides. Despite progress in judicial reform, some three million criminal cases jam the court system. While poor suspects languish in jail, powerful scofflaws get red-carpet treatment. A bright Andean sun poured into a courtyard.