Educational Media Reviews Online

In Welcome to Colombia, Catalina Villar returns to her native Colombia, which she left in 1984, to document the state of the nation during the 2002 Colombian presidential elections. In addition to interviews and personal reflections and commentary, Villar provides extensive footage of demonstrations, rallies, news footage and political speeches.

Colombia remains deeply entrenched in a decades-long civil war fought by right-wing paramilitaries, left-wing guerrillas, and a weak central government that is unable to control the violence. It is a country of over three million internally displaced people, a kidnapping every ten minutes, and a thriving drug trade that finances much of the violence.

Seeking to give voice to the multiple Colombian viewpoints on the situation, Villar interviews many different representatives of Colombian society: supporters of the right-wing presidential candidate, left-wing guerrillas, a philosopher, indigenous groups, activists, and feminist groups. Despite their differences, she finds a tired nation ready for peace.

Villar chooses to avoid sensational images of violence and its aftermath in an attempt to capture the humanity behind the violence. Also, she emphasizes the paramilitary’s role in the majority of the killings, in opposition to the government’s portrayal of the left-wing guerrillas as the major perpetrators. She is not an impartial observer. She blames the continuing violence on an oligarchy that is not yet prepared to share power; yet, she does not expressly back any of the other factions currently seeking power.

The documentary is narrated in English using the words of Villar yet spoken by native English speaker. Technically, the English language narration and subtitles, as well as good sound and editing, complement the extensive Spanish language interviews and speeches.

This documentary is recommended for high school students, college students, adult viewers, and the libraries that serve them.