130.400 Colombians were victims of forced displacement during the 1st half of 2004, a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2003. Since 1985 the phenomenon has affected more than 3 million people. One of the factors which could explain this increase is the famous "Plan Patriota", a military offensive launched by the government in the south of the country. Other affected zones are those where where one finds a strong presence of the paramilitary groups and places targeted by the air fumigation of illegal cultures.

(automatic computer translation)