The United States seems destined by Providence to

plague America with misery n the name of liberty

The stigma of Paisas--natives of Medellin and its surroundings--being involved in drug trafficking has been ongoing since their victory of the Colombian-Cuban drug war in Miami during the seventies. In the streets of Colombia the story is different. Millions of citizens are haunted by memories of homicide, kidnapping and extortion. Colombians fear narcotraficantes because they have witnessed over and over how they betray their countrymen to achieve their purposes. To avoid crime and violence Colombians have protested, formed paramilitary groups against the narcotraficantes and thousands have given up their lives. Colombian citizens, including Paisas, are not in agreement with the trafficking of drugs. Most unfortunately, the effort of the majority of Colombians to end this war is overshadowed by the wrongdoing of a few. United States hegemony has ultimately shifted the blame to the oppressed country. Many Colombians feel guilty because of the constant criticism they receive

Presently, this is the typical depiction of Paisas. The widespread and popularity of movies makes this profile a first impression for many. For some, this is the only impression they'll ever have of Colombia. The international community frequently exposed to this unbalanced view will eventually take part in the transculturation of the Paisa. Their criticism will have an effect on how

Unfortunately, the reputation of Paisas is sometimes irrevocable. The media, who constantly depicts the Colombia as a war zone, creates a long-lasting impression of violence in the minds of those who watch. News broadcasts and movies which focus on terrorism, murder and drug traffic in Colombia seldom stop to show the other side. This CNN extract exemplifies:

White (Creole or European) Negro Mulatto

rom the United States. And many Colombians have paid for the narcotraficantes' evils. The country has been penalized and put down by the international community. But the highest price hasn't been paid

means more than being Colombian (1).

'Yankees of South America.' They are shrewd, aggressive individuals

Some common words found in the essay are:
Latin Americans, Latin American, Latin America, Americas United, Paisas--natives Medellin, United Colombians, Nagel Other's, United Fidelity, Colombia United, South America', latin america, latin americans, latin american, latin american individual, american individual, discovery latin, ethnic identity, discovery latin america, white creole european, drug traffic, traffic colombia, one's ethnic, america colombians, one's ethnic identity, drug traffic colombia,
Approximate Word count = 2797
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)