Colombia-Security Inc.
11-10-1994
^Colombia Emerges From Terrorism as Expert in Lucrative Security Business AP Photo BOG101
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ Colombia has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a booming industry to match: the business of protecting its citizens and their new-found wealth.
Colombia's security industry, honed by a decade of defending government officials and executives against the Medellin cocaine cartel and leftist rebels, earns millions of dollars a year. It's now looking for opportunities abroad.
"We have become experts in this field," boasted Claudia Franco, organizer of the First International Security Fair being held in Bogota's Convention Center through today.
Representatives of governments and businesses from Mexico, Argentina, Peru and other countries were among those browsing through bulletproof jackets, video surveillance equipment, alarm systems, stun guns and other gear.
Domestically, business is growing, even if the government struck hard at the Medellin cartel and killed its leader, Pablo Escobar, in a shootout last December.
"There's a lot of insecurity out there," noted police Capt. Jaime Romero as he bought a speed loader for his .38-caliber service revolver.
Colombia has the highest homicide rate in the world: 27,800 of its more than 33 million people were murdered in 1993. In comparison, the U.S. record for murders was 24,703 in 1991 - but that was for a population of 252 million.
Kidnapping for ransom is a major business, and leftist rebels - who also kidnap and kill - are fighting a 30-year-old war with the government. Colombia's finance minister survived a rebel bomb attack earlier this year because his BMW had armor plating and bulletproof windows.
Escobar's now unemployed private army of assassins have turned free-lance, using their skills to maintain the comfortable living they had grown accustomed to.
"All these guys are used to easy money. They're armed and they know how use their weapons," said John Murphy of ISVI Ltda. The Colombian firm does $2 million in business annually, providing security for corporations and selling bulletproof cars, jackets and briefcases. Twenty percent of its business now comes from abroad.
ISVI also sells fashionable leather jackets, at $800 apiece, complete with Kevlar and Spectra bulletproofing sewn inside.
"If an assassin knows you're wearing a bulletproof vest, he may go for your head," Murphy noted Wednesday, explaining the benefits of keeping the bulletproofing hidden.
At a nearby booth, Marta Lucia Hernandez was showing bulletproof vests offered by her company, Bliseg.
"Here we have our executive style," she said, pointing to a plain white vest. "It's very comfortable and is meant to be worn under the clothing. It can stop a mini-Uzi or a Magnum bullet."
At another booth, a crowd gathered as a woman displayed an electric stun gun disguised as an umbrella.
"It carries 150,000 volts," she announced, triggering the device, which crackled and emitted a blue current of electricity.
The fair's star attraction was a door from a car an executive was riding in when gunmen tried to assassinate him two years ago. The attackers unleashed a fusillade from an Uzi, a .38-caliber Magnum and other guns, hitting the car 50 times. The executive escaped unscathed.
Curious spectators fingered the bullet-riddled door and window. Nothing had penetrated the armored plating or the glass.
"It's a strong argument for protection," offered Jorge Medina of Armor International, which had bulletproofed the car.
"The owner was very gratified," Medina said. "After the attack, he ordered his next car armored."
^Colombia Emerges From Terrorism as Expert in Lucrative Security Business AP Photo BOG101
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ Colombia has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a booming industry to match: the business of protecting its citizens and their new-found wealth.
Colombia's security industry, honed by a decade of defending government officials and executives against the Medellin cocaine cartel and leftist rebels, earns millions of dollars a year. It's now looking for opportunities abroad.
"We have become experts in this field," boasted Claudia Franco, organizer of the First International Security Fair being held in Bogota's Convention Center through today.
Representatives of governments and businesses from Mexico, Argentina, Peru and other countries were among those browsing through bulletproof jackets, video surveillance equipment, alarm systems, stun guns and other gear.
Domestically, business is growing, even if the government struck hard at the Medellin cartel and killed its leader, Pablo Escobar, in a shootout last December.
"There's a lot of insecurity out there," noted police Capt. Jaime Romero as he bought a speed loader for his .38-caliber service revolver.
Colombia has the highest homicide rate in the world: 27,800 of its more than 33 million people were murdered in 1993. In comparison, the U.S. record for murders was 24,703 in 1991 - but that was for a population of 252 million.
Kidnapping for ransom is a major business, and leftist rebels - who also kidnap and kill - are fighting a 30-year-old war with the government. Colombia's finance minister survived a rebel bomb attack earlier this year because his BMW had armor plating and bulletproof windows.
Escobar's now unemployed private army of assassins have turned free-lance, using their skills to maintain the comfortable living they had grown accustomed to.
"All these guys are used to easy money. They're armed and they know how use their weapons," said John Murphy of ISVI Ltda. The Colombian firm does $2 million in business annually, providing security for corporations and selling bulletproof cars, jackets and briefcases. Twenty percent of its business now comes from abroad.
ISVI also sells fashionable leather jackets, at $800 apiece, complete with Kevlar and Spectra bulletproofing sewn inside.
"If an assassin knows you're wearing a bulletproof vest, he may go for your head," Murphy noted Wednesday, explaining the benefits of keeping the bulletproofing hidden.
At a nearby booth, Marta Lucia Hernandez was showing bulletproof vests offered by her company, Bliseg.
"Here we have our executive style," she said, pointing to a plain white vest. "It's very comfortable and is meant to be worn under the clothing. It can stop a mini-Uzi or a Magnum bullet."
At another booth, a crowd gathered as a woman displayed an electric stun gun disguised as an umbrella.
"It carries 150,000 volts," she announced, triggering the device, which crackled and emitted a blue current of electricity.
The fair's star attraction was a door from a car an executive was riding in when gunmen tried to assassinate him two years ago. The attackers unleashed a fusillade from an Uzi, a .38-caliber Magnum and other guns, hitting the car 50 times. The executive escaped unscathed.
Curious spectators fingered the bullet-riddled door and window. Nothing had penetrated the armored plating or the glass.
"It's a strong argument for protection," offered Jorge Medina of Armor International, which had bulletproofed the car.
"The owner was very gratified," Medina said. "After the attack, he ordered his next car armored."
Comments
Post a Comment