Colombia

 Colombia is a country of striking contrasts. With its breathtaking Caribbean and Pacific coasts, lush Amazon rainforest, majestic Andes mountains, and vibrant cities like Bogotá and Medellín, it boasts immense natural beauty and cultural richness. Coffee plantations, salsa rhythms, and a resilient people add to its allure. Yet, this beauty has long been overshadowed by deep-rooted conflicts and complications.

The 2010 documentary The Two Escobars powerfully illustrates these dualities. It intertwines the stories of Pablo Escobar, the notorious Medellín Cartel drug lord who rose from poverty to control a cocaine empire, and Andrés Escobar (no relation), the beloved captain of Colombia’s national football team. Pablo’s billions from the drug trade infiltrated football ("narco-soccer"), funding teams and players while corrupting institutions. Andrés symbolized hope: a clean, talented athlete who believed football could unite a fractured nation amid civil war, guerrilla violence, and cartel wars.

In the early 1990s, Colombia was engulfed in violence. Pablo’s cartel waged war on the state with bombings and assassinations. After his death in 1993, the national team—partly elevated by narco money—went to the 1994 World Cup as favorites but suffered a humiliating exit after Andrés scored a tragic own goal. Days later, he was murdered in Medellín, allegedly in retaliation. The documentary highlights how crime, politics, and sport became inseparable in a society plagued by inequality, corruption, and armed conflict.

Today, Colombia still grapples with legacies of this era. Drug trafficking fuels organized crime, involving groups like former FARC dissidents, ELN guerrillas, and clans. Common crimes include extortion, kidnapping, street robberies, homicides, and money laundering. Complications arise from poverty, weak institutions, illegal mining, and displacement of communities. Yet, beauty persists: community resilience, peace efforts, tourism growth, and cultural exports show hope. Solutions discussed include stronger rule of law, social programs for youth, alternative development (e.g., legal crops instead of coca), international cooperation, and education.

The film forces viewers to confront: Can a nation escape its past when beauty and brutality are so intertwined?

Comprehension Questions:

1. Summarize the connection between the two Escobars.
2. What does "narco-soccer" reveal about Colombian society?
3. Discuss one example of Colombia’s beauty and one complication mentioned.
4. What ongoing issues does the country face according to the text?

Vocabulary Exercises

1. 12-Word Vocabulary Matching (Match word to definition)

1. Cartel — A. Demanding money through threats or intimidation
2. Narco-soccer — B. Forcing people from their homes, often due to conflict
3. Resilient — C. The capacity to withstand or recover from adversity
4. Extortion — D. Secretly penetrated an organization or group
5. Guerrilla — E. A group that controls an illegal drug trade
6. Corruption — F. Funding or influencing sports with money from drug trafficking
7. Displacement — G. Dishonest abuse of power for personal gain
8. Infiltrated — H. Action taken in revenge for harm or injury
9. Retaliation — I. Something handed down from the past (often negative)
10. Legacy — J. Member of an irregular armed group fighting a government
11. Laundering — K. Able to recover quickly from difficulties
12. Resilience — L. Concealing the origin of illegally obtained money

2. 10-Word Synonym Match (Match to closest synonym)

1. Breathtaking — A. Infamous / well-known for bad reasons
2. Notorious — B. Widespread / present everywhere
3. Fractured — C. Astonishing / stunning
4. Plagued — D. Tough / enduring
5. Rampant — E. Divided / broken
6. Resilient — F. Afflicted / troubled by
7. Intertwined — G. Uncontrolled / widespread
8. Grueling — H. Interconnected / linked
9. Vibrant — I. Exhausting / demanding
10. Pervasive — J. Lively / energetic

Extension: Choose 5 words from either exercise and write original sentences about Colombia or the documentary.

Speaking & Role-Play Exercises (20-30 mins)

Role-Play Scenarios (Work in pairs/groups; prepare 2-3 minutes, then perform and debrief):

1. Journalist Interview: One student is a reporter; the other is a Colombian football fan or coach reflecting on The Two Escobars and the influence of narco money on sport. Discuss hope versus corruption.
2. Policy Meeting: Role-play a government discussion. One is a politician pushing for stricter anti-drug laws and enforcement; another is a community leader advocating social programs, education, and youth opportunities to reduce crime.
3. Tourist and Local: A tourist excited about Colombia’s natural beauty asks for travel advice. The local discusses safety concerns (different types of crime) while highlighting positive changes.
4. Activists Debate: Two activists discuss solutions to organized crime in Colombia—one supports stronger military/police action; the other prioritizes community investment, peace talks, and alternative development.

Useful C1 Phrases:

• “On the one hand … on the other hand …”
• “This exacerbates the problem because …”
• “A viable long-term solution could be …”
• “Drawing from the documentary, we can see that …”

Other Exercises: Crime in Colombia

Discussion Questions:

• List and describe different types of crime common in Colombia (e.g., drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, homicides, money laundering, corruption, street theft). Which do you think are the most damaging and why?
• How do poverty, inequality, and weak institutions contribute to these crimes?
• What role does international demand for drugs play in Colombia’s problems?

Writing Task: Write a 250–300 word opinion essay: “Can education, economic opportunities, and social programs solve Colombia’s crime problems more effectively than enforcement alone? Refer to The Two Escobars and the reading text.”

Solutions Brainstorm (Group Activity): Brainstorm and rank possible solutions:

• Prevention through youth programs and job creation.
• Stronger rule of law and anti-corruption measures.
• Alternative development for farmers (legal crops instead of coca).
• International cooperation against drug cartels.
• Promoting tourism, culture, and education to change perceptions.