Colombia: April 20, 2005

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Declining crime rates and rebel violence have been good for the economy, except for those who supply security services. Sales of armored vehicles, and custom bulletproof  clothes, and bodyguard services, are down 20-30 percent. This is because violence and crime are down about a third. However, in places along the border, the war goes on. Two towns in southwest Colombia have had most of their 3,000 inhabitants turned into refugees by FARC attacks. But FARC is being forced out of the country, which is one reason why more of the violence is in the border areas.