While such a catalogue of misery would be tragic in the case of any country, it is all the more so in light of Colombia’s great potential as the fifth-largest economy in Latin America. In writing this searing and insightful report, Simons does justice to people whose verve and spirit, though pushed to extremes, remain unbroken.

Geoff Simons has written extensively on world politics. In addition to the acclaimed Targeting Iraq (2002) and Future Iraq (2003) – both published by Saqi Books – he is the author of many other books including Libya: The Struggle for Survival; Saudi Arabia: The Shape of a Client Feudalism and The Scourging of Iraq: Sanctions, Law and Natural Justice. His books have been translated into many languages.