Virgilio Barco Vargas

Virgilio Barco Vargas served as the president of Colombia from August 1986 to August 1990. His presidency aimed to improve civil order, but instead, guerrilla and paramilitary groups became more active, leading to increased violence. The Medellín cartel also employed terror tactics to pressure the government. Homicide became the leading cause of death in Colombia, with 1989 being the most violent year on record.12

Barco's administration also focused on reversing the decline in economic growth. The discovery of a significant petroleum reserve in 1985 provided a boost to the economy and reduced Colombia's reliance on external energy sources. Despite the pervasive violence, the Colombian economy experienced growth, partly fueled by the drug trade, which at times positively impacted trade balances.12