“The women-to-men ratio in Colombia is five Colombian women to one Colombian man.”
“Reports range from 3 to 6 Colombian women for every man.”
“The fact is there are not enough men in Colombia.”
“Here in Barranquilla, the women greatly outnumber the men 3 to 1.”
“Colombian women greatly outnumber the men.”
“Latin women outnumber the men 3 to 1 due to multiple state drafts.”
“Colombia is one of the countries with the largest percentage of single women in the world, with an approximate ratio 11 to 1.”
“The number of available and beautiful women in Colombia exceeds the number of men.”
“Check out a restaurant in Barranquilla called “Henry’s” on a Saturday night; 15 to 1 women-to-men.”

They must have done their census count in the women’s restroom. Outside the ladies’ room, the ratio of women to men for both the United States and Colombia is about 100 women for every 98 men, and those “extra” women are not in the age range you would want to marry. Claims of three, five, or even eleven women for every man are nothing more than fantasy marketing other services use to bait uninformed men, enticing them with lies instead of reality.

“Colombian women are not interested in your looks, muscles, or wallet!”
“Colombian women are not concerned about your social status.”
“Latin women do not care if you are filthy rich or just a plain John Doe.”

If you are an average American, you will be considered “filthy rich” by Colombian standards. Most Latin American women live in conditions you would never accept for yourself. The monthly minimum wage is less than what many Americans earn in a single day. You are not going to be seen as “plain.” You will be seen as a man with advantages. Their expectation is that you are financially stable, and what they want is economic security within a loving and committed relationship.

“Most women in the marriage agency are in college or have a degree.”
“Most of the Latin ladies you will meet on our website are well educated.”
“Over 90% of the Colombian girls you will meet are college educated.”
“Colombian women are well educated and most are financially independent.”
“Colombians are the most educated people in Latin America.”
“The earning power of a Colombian wife is very good.”

While many Colombian women have a solid work ethic and learn responsibility early in life, you should realistically plan on one to two years of full financial support for your Colombian bride while she improves her English and adjusts to life in the United States. Before you begin, both of you should be clear about what your economic roles will be. Most foreign Latin brides will prefer to be primarily housewives and mothers, while some will want to work outside the home, but it is a mistake to assume that her current job or career in Colombia will translate smoothly to the United States. For Colombians in professional careers, it is unlikely they will be able to step into equivalent positions. A Colombian dentist will, at best, qualify as a dental assistant in the United States. A Colombian nurse would need to start over to pursue the same nursing career, because the quality and structure of education in Colombia is lower and different, and her degree and credits will not be treated as equivalent. The foreign bride agencies not only exaggerate the educational level of their women; they also conceal how little of that education is actually usable outside Colombia.

“These women are not looking to escape their country, since many of them are professionals or have good jobs.”

Colombia is no paradise for Latin women. Unemployment is often over 20 percent. The educated are usually underemployed. The poverty level is around 50 percent. Crime is high, and the Latin man is typically unfaithful. These conditions create opportunities you would not find in the United States. While Colombian women are not looking to jump ship simply because life is difficult, they are receptive to exploring a long-term romance that can lead to marriage. The key word is romance. Yes, they want a better life and a brighter future, as you do, but not without the romance and passion that come from a good, loving, respectful husband.

“Cuddly stuffed animal: $59.95.”
“Fruit basket with seasonal and exotic fruits; $89.”
“A bouquet of eleven long stem red roses; $95.”
“Floral arrangement: $150.”
“23 roses: $175.”
“Surprise your lady with a serenade: $200.”
“101 red roses beautifully arranged: $699.”

Foreign Bride agencies will push you to buy overpriced gifts from their websites. This is not necessary. I recommend you do not buy gifts unless you see real potential with a specific woman you have already dated. When you do give something, keep it sentimental, not flashy. Many Latin American women value attention, affection, and consistency more than things. Your focused time and genuine interest are the best gifts you can offer at the start. When it becomes appropriate to give gifts, we can advise you on what is practical, modest, and suitable for your situation. For the right Latin woman, it is not the price of the gift that matters. It is that it comes from you and reflects sincere feeling.

That depends on you. It can cost less than dating a woman for the same amount of time in the United States, and you are likely to get a far better return. For most men the expenses include airfare, agency fee, dating costs such as meals, transportation and activities, modest gifts for occasions like Christmas, birthdays and Valentine’s Day, English classes, immigration visa costs, a follow-up trip to Colombia, and her airline ticket to join you and marry in the United States. The savings from buying an engagement ring in Latin America alone can make the entire process a financial bargain compared with doing everything at home.

Your first contact should be friendly, confident, and easy to read. Do not write in English; write in Spanish, even if you must use a translation tool. If you are using a translating system, let her know upfront so she understands any potential errors. Thank her for accepting your invitation to communicate and then tell her more about yourself. She already knows what is in your profile, so go a little deeper. Expand briefly on what you do, where you live, and your interests and goals. They will not know specific local places like Walmart, so describe settings generally rather than using brand names. Avoid too many details in the beginning; present a few highlights and keep it humble. She does not need to know about your possessions or income, and do not speak about money or how much things cost.

Project stability and avoid complaining about small problems such as being “hot,” “bored,” or “tired.” Her life is more difficult than yours, so be the beacon of light with everything under control. If you mention a problem, connect it immediately with your solution. Latin women usually have a good appreciation for American humor, but limit your jokes to one or two comments or she may think you are not serious. Avoid jokes that depend on wordplay, because some humor does not cross well from one culture to another. Be positive and polite. Do not overwhelm her with complications or topics she is unlikely to understand. Regarding affection, do not speak in detail about sex, or write intimate comments such as “I would love to stroke your hair” or “I want to hug you” until after you actually meet. Also, while some women will use terminology like amor (my love) or mi vida (my life), do not use the same terminology back when just getting to know someone. Make it clear why you are writing. She will want to know what specifically attracted your attention, but try not to say only the obvious. Be creative with your compliments. Point out something others might not notice. Saying “you are beautiful” to a beautiful woman does not mean much when everyone else writes the same line. Make inquiries or follow-up questions based on what she says to show you are actually listening.

Latin American women take pride in their home country, so never speak badly about Colombia or Latin America. By the same token, do not say anything negative about American women. Stay courteous and avoid negative comments about your past relationships. If you send an email, end it with two or three meaningful questions, thank her for her time, and say you would be happy to hear from her. You can also ask her if she would like to communicate via email or WhatsApp. In future emails, focus more on her and not just on yourself. Write about subjects that matter to you and find out what matters to her. Answer all of her questions and write back as soon as you reasonably can; a fast response shows strong interest. However, respect her schedule. Ask her when it is best to communicate or if the present time is good. If the woman is responding slowly on WhatsApp, ask her if it is not a good time to chat now. Ask for recent photos and verify important information in her profile, such as her civil status and whether she has children. After a couple of exchanges, ask to connect by video chat to confirm how she currently looks. Some women will try to conceal their real age or weight, or wait to reveal that they have a child or more children than they first stated. Get a clear and honest picture of her real situation as early as possible.

Once you have met in person, the frequency and content of your girlfriend’s or fiancée’s messages will show how interested she truly is. A Latin woman in love wants regular communication with her boyfriend or fiancé. When distance is involved, writing and video chat are critical to building and maintaining a bond. Words reveal shared values and goals, compatibility, and mutual interest, which are the same ingredients needed for a long-term commitment. Once you have opened her heart, and until you can be together, steady and sincere correspondence is your best way to keep her heart.

There is no alimony after divorce in Colombia. Normally, the court only divides the assets acquired during the marriage. Although Colombian law does allow certain forms of asset protection, these agreements are rare in everyday life and most Colombian women will not be familiar with them. If you decide you want a prenuptial agreement, you should hire a family lawyer in your home state who understands the issues involved in marrying a foreign bride. Proper preparation should include having her choose her own U.S. attorney who speaks her first language, having a court-approved translator translate the agreement into her language, and giving your foreign fiancée plenty of time to read and consider the agreement well before the wedding date. You are unlikely to face serious resistance from a Colombian woman if you request a prenuptial agreement, especially if you present it calmly and fairly. It is smarter to think about this before you become serious with one woman. Once you have a girlfriend, you can discuss the subject with her in more detail. If you require a prenuptial agreement, start the process with your lawyer early; do not wait until she arrives in the United States. If there is any realistic chance that you will acquire assets in Colombia in the future, you may also want to explore a Colombian prenuptial style agreement before a civil marriage in the United States. Colombian law allows assets purchased during the marriage to be kept as individually owned by the person who bought them, so that they do not become part of the community property.

From the earliest days of the United States, American men have brought foreign fiancées and wives into the country. Because of this long history, the process is clear and relatively inexpensive. You can pay an immigration attorney or qualified paralegal to handle the visa paperwork, or you can do it yourself. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website provides detailed instructions and all required forms. If you decide to handle it on your own, you should study the full process before you start, because mistakes and incomplete documents will cause delays. Your fiancée does not need her own lawyer; her part of the process is simple compared to yours.

For the fiancée petition, you will complete applications and compile documentation about you and your fiancée. You must also provide evidence to corroborate your relationship and your ability to support your Latin fiancée. To start the process, your fiancée must complete and sign the required biographic forms, sign a letter of intent to marry you, and have visa photos taken. Forms and instructions can be downloaded from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Some of the documents you will typically need to provide in your petition include: the application fee, a cover letter, a declaration of how you met, your letter of intent to marry, biographic information forms, the I-129F fiancée petition, an affidavit of support, a photocopy of your U.S. birth certificate or proof of citizenship, an employment letter, bank statements, pay stubs, U.S. federal income tax returns and W-2 forms for the previous two years, divorce decrees (if applicable), photocopies of airline tickets and passport stamps showing travel to meet your fiancée, passport photos, photographs of the two of you together, copies of emails and messages that show an ongoing relationship (avoid discussing money), telephone records, and any other reasonable proof of a real relationship. You will submit your fiancée’s information together with your applications and supporting documents to the appropriate USCIS service center in the United States. Typical approval times can vary widely depending on USCIS workload, security checks, and how clean and complete your file is. Careful preparation of the petition paperwork (completeness, accuracy, supporting documents, and organization) and the backlog at the processing center will determine how long it takes for approval.

When the K-1 fiancée visa is approved, she will normally receive her passport with the visa either a few days later or by mail. The fiancée visa usually allows a single entry to the United States and is valid for a limited period (for example, six months) to travel, and once she enters the United States you must marry within 90 days. If your fiancée has minor children, they are included in the petition and can qualify for K-2 visas. They can travel with her or join her within the allowed time frame.
Once in the United States, she will be informed of the conditions of the K-1 visa, the requirement to marry within 90 days, and the need to file for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) after the marriage so she can become a permanent resident. After she becomes a permanent resident and meets the residency requirements, she can later apply for U.S. citizenship. The above information is subject to change and is intended only as a general introduction to the fiancée visa process. For exact requirements, steps, and current fees, you should consult an immigration lawyer or the official United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

The type and number of questions asked during the visa interview will depend on the strength of the evidence you and your fiancée provide to demonstrate a real relationship and on the particular circumstances of your case. When couples attend together, you may not be asked anything at all; normally the woman is asked around seven questions. Certain factors can draw more scrutiny, including a large age difference, a criminal history involving serious offenses, past domestic violence or sexual-abuse allegations, multiple divorces, prior marriages to foreign women, a history of fiancée or spousal visas, limited in-person time together, poor organization, or no common language. The interviewer must be convinced that the relationship is legitimate. Anything that suggests the opposite will be examined closely. Women who do not know the man’s personal history, marital background, or prior visa history, or who cannot answer questions consistently and accurately, are at high risk of denial. Your fiancée should not volunteer information that is not requested and should answer clearly and confidently. When your name is mentioned, she should smile and show a positive emotional connection.
Below is a list of possible questions she may be asked:

Are you planning to have children together?

When was your fiancé born and where? How old is he?

What do you think about the age difference?

What do your parents think about the age difference?

What do your parents think of your fiancé? Do they approve of the impending marriage?

Do you speak English well?

What language do you use to communicate with your fiancé?

Does your fiancé speak and understand your language? Is this communication gap a problem?

What does your fiancé do for a living? Where does he work? How long has he worked there? Does he like his job? How much does he earn?

Where did he work in the past, and for how long?

What degrees or formal training does he have?

In terms of education, would you say your educational backgrounds are compatible?

Please state your fiancé’s residence address. Does he own or rent his home? Who does he live with?

What do you know about your fiancé’s home? Do you know what the weather is like there?

Where will you live?

What is his phone number?

Write his full name.

Have you spoken to your fiancé’s parents, and do you know how they feel about your upcoming marriage?

Have you met his family?

What are the names of your fiancé’s parents?

Where do his parents live?

Does your fiancé have any brothers or sisters? What are their names?

What color are your fiancé’s eyes?

What color is your fiancé’s hair?

What are your fiancé’s hobbies and interests?

What are your hobbies and interests? Do you have any interests in common?

What is his favorite food?

What type of music does he like?

What type of movies does he like?

What is your fiancé’s religious background? How will you raise the children?

Tell me more about your fiancé.

Explain the type of relationship you have had since your first meeting.

When did you have sex together for the first time? How often do you have sex together?

Have you ever been to the United States? If so, state when, where, for how long, and for what purpose.

Do you have any relatives or friends in the United States? Where do they live?

Have you ever applied for a travel visa?

Why do you want to live in the United States?

When do you plan to enter the United States?

What do you plan to do once you are in the United States?

Do you plan to work in the United States?

Do you plan to study in the United States?

Did you fill out this form yourself?

Have you and your fiancé ever exchanged gifts?

Did you have a ceremony to celebrate your relationship? Show me some pictures from the event.

Tell me why this relationship is genuine.

I am going to pick some random pictures of yours; describe who is in the pictures and where and when they were taken.

If I refuse this application, what will you do? Will you still stay in your relationship?

I am going to call your fiancé now on the phone and ask him the same questions. Is there any answer you gave me that you wish to change now before I make this call?

In the past, almost all of my clients chose the fiancée visa. Today the picture is more mixed. Marriage in Colombia still requires you to gather several civil records from your home country (birth certificate, divorce decrees, etc.), have them translated, apostilled, and accepted by a Colombian notary, which can take time and effort. However, in many recent cases couples have found that marrying in Colombia and then filing for a spousal visa (CR-1 or IR-1) results in an even faster entry to the United States than the traditional K-1 route, and she arrives as a permanent resident instead of on a temporary fiancée visa. If you decide to marry in Colombia, a local notary can give you and your fiancée the current list of marriage requirements, which can vary slightly by city and over time. The best option for you will depend on how quickly you want her in the United States, how comfortable you are managing paperwork in two countries, and whether you prefer her to arrive already as your spouse with a resident visa or as a fiancée who adjusts status after marriage in the United States. If you are Canadian, there is no fiancée visa category, so you will generally need to marry in Colombia (or qualify under another long-term relationship category) before sponsoring her for Canadian residency.

Doing business in Colombia can be very difficult. Corruption is embedded in their system, integrity is in short supply, and labor laws and regulations are anti-growth and anti-business. The lack of a good educational system in Colombia requires that you train your employees starting at the most fundamental level. For example, if you have an office employee on the phone who happens to be alone in the office and another phone rings, the simple concept of picking up the ringing phone will not evolve on its own. You will have to introduce it. The first time I saw this and asked, “Why didn’t you pick up the phone?” I was told, “Impossible! How can I pick up another phone when I am already on the phone?”

Instead of being effective, you will often hear why an objective or task is “impossible” when all that is needed is an added thought, a little innovation, persistence, or common sense. You would think these concepts would not have to be explained, but in Colombia, they will need to be explained. Achieving the end result regardless of the obstacles is not how most Colombians are wired. While most Colombians will agree with the ideal of goal setting, that is about as far as it goes; as for actually achieving the goal, that lesson must not have been taught. Due to the excessive supply of cheap labor, few Colombians have been trained to understand and employ an efficient and effective work style. I have never even heard someone use the word multitasking in Spanish. No one does it, so there is no need to know the word. Giving flexibility and latitude to Colombians is an invitation to be taken advantage of. Expect to give comprehensive training with much repetition before having a good workforce in place.

Good management skills in Colombia are hard to find as well. Many managers in Colombia think that their job is simply carrying the title of “boss,” yelling when things don’t go right, and making the employee financially pay for their mistakes instead of just making sure things go right to begin with.
The working knowledge of one’s field is very limited compared to the States. It is likely that if you have a nonprofessional side interest, it would exceed what a Colombian would know even if it were their educated and paid profession. For example, if your hobby is carpentry, you would most likely have more knowledge and skill in it than a Colombian whose profession, livelihood, or business is carpentry.

Often, businesses will guarantee that they can fix or do something, only for you to find out that they can’t because they don’t know what they’re doing. Yet, they will still expect payment simply because they tried. This lack of professional knowledge and responsibility for performance makes the overall quality of the workforce in Colombia very poor.

The work ethic is poor, too. There is a mentality of doing as little as you can get away with. Those who excel above the group are pressured to slow down and not work like a “slave.” Many with no job and minimal marketable skills actually believe that certain work is beneath them. They would rather not work than do what they consider to be “maid’s work.”
“Work before play” is not their motto. Colombia has more national holidays than any country in the world. On a holiday, ask a Colombian what holiday it is and they won’t know, because there are simply too many to remember. Pay incentives won’t get them to work harder, either. Most aim only to cover their immediate needs, and there is no drive to get ahead. Few take pride in their work; it’s just a motion to survive off of.

If you take a look at most commercial or private houses or buildings that have been repainted, you will see paint that was meant for the walls also on the doors, molding, windows, plants, and floor. If you look at the craftsmanship of almost any building, you will see things that were just not done right. Most Colombians have no eye for detail, and in some cases, for the big picture either.
Colombia’s fourth largest city Barranquilla doesn’t even have a drainage system. Somewhere along the line, that important aspect of the infrastructure was left out. So, when there is a strong thunderstorm, the roads flood, traffic comes to a stop, and cars and people float down into the river and sea.

Customer service is not a high priority for most Colombian companies. You will often have to wait in long lines and be told to do things that defy logic.
When I first tried to open a Colombian bank account, I was told that I had to first show evidence that I had already had a Colombian bank account for the last six months. When I told the bank representative that if I already had a Colombian bank account, I wouldn’t be there to open a new one, she said she was sorry, but those were the rules. I then pointed out that if every Colombian bank had this requirement, how would anyone be able to open a bank account, ever? “Sorry, those are the rules.”

Canceling your cell phone plan is a quick option, right? Not in Colombia. When I went to the main Movistar office in Barranquilla to pay my bill and cancel my cell plan, I was told I could not do so. I could only cancel the plan approximately three days prior to the start of the new billing period, the 26th of the month. On the 20th of the next month, I called Movistar (since one source of information is rarely correct and complete in Colombia) to find out what I needed to do to cancel my plan. I was told I needed to write a cancellation letter and bring a copy of my ID. So, to sign up for their plan I didn’t need a copy of my ID or a letter requesting service, but to leave, I do. That same day, I brought these two items to the main Movistar office in Barranquilla to cancel my service. As the clerk was processing my cancellation, she said I would also need to personally talk to a Movistar representative by phone in Bogotá to confirm it. So, I am directly talking to a Movistar representative in their main office with my cancellation letter, and I need to repeat my request over the phone to another representative in another city. I was then told I could not cancel the upcoming month because I needed to do so by the 16th of the month. I then talked to the manager of the office and pointed to the person who told me to come on the 23rd, not the 16th. She asked if I had any “physical evidence” that this occurred, and wouldn’t you guess, I was not wearing my video glasses to capture everything I did that day. After some argument, the manager told me that it did not really matter what the clerk said. Why? Because she was not an employee of Movistar; she worked for a staffing company that Movistar hired and “did not know very much.” You can’t have a disagreement with anyone in Colombia without some form of inanity hitting you in the face. So, the person I was talking to, behind your counter, wearing your uniform, was not really part of your company; therefore, everything she said didn’t count. I then appealed to the manager to take care of a five-year customer, do the right thing, and cancel my plan. She said she empathized with me, but the system was set and locked in Bogotá and she did not have the capability of assisting me. So much for empowering the employees who have direct contact with the customer with the means to satisfy them.

Prior to using our own lodging, we were referring clients to a hotel. I asked hotel management for a lower rate based on the volume of business we were providing. We made a deal to cut the rate by 5%, and I was told I had the lowest corporate rates possible. About one week later, I saw my rates go up to where they were before. I asked, “What’s going on? I just negotiated my rates down one week ago.” And they said, “Yes, we know, but the rates went up this week.”

I once received a delivery of some furniture (late, of course) and one piece was wrong. Instead of the furniture company taking it back right then and there and delivering the right piece, I was told that I had to return it, as if I were going to rent a truck to make the return myself.

I was once picking up a cell phone that had been repaired under warranty. I had lost my receipt from when I dropped it off, but I had other forms of identification and the purchase receipt. The store branch was small. They remembered who I was, yet told me that in order for me to pick up the repaired phone, I first had to go to the police station, report that I had lost my receipt, and then come back and show them the police report.

Again, if it doesn’t make sense, that’s how it’s done in Colombia. You will find that businesses in Colombia have a very regulated mentality in their methodology, with very little concern for meeting deadlines, streamlining, being on time, or doing what they say which will ultimately interfere with you meeting your own deadlines.

Customer complaints don’t go over very well in Colombia, either. Typically, they start off by telling you that you don’t have a problem. If you continue to complain, they will acknowledge that you do have a problem, but that it’s your fault. Accelerating your complaints will then win you an acknowledgment that the problem is real, not your fault, and will go away on its own. Here’s one client’s experience with a major hotel where you would expect to receive good customer service: “As you know, we had our wedding at the [largest hotel chain in Colombia] and had guests from the United States. We and our guests noticed that our money kept in the safe was short upon checking out. We went back the following month, stayed at [the hotel], and noticed this time that the safe in our room didn’t even lock properly. Again, I noticed another shortage of US$300. I informed the manager of the missing money. He did nothing. He didn’t even inform the police of the theft. I informed them that if it happened again, I would contact the police personally. I was then told by the hotel that I would not be able to come back and stay. I have spent well over US$12,000 at this hotel. It is important for other Americans to know about this so it won’t happen to them.”

Another business difficulty with Colombians is that, incredibly, they often don’t do things in their own best interest. This makes negotiations and dealings more difficult. When Americans negotiate with each other, they normally understand what would be a good deal for the other based on the market environment. I believe that since very few Colombians have money, the minority with most of the wealth and land holdings have no need for flexibility. If they don’t get their price and terms, it doesn’t matter to them; they already have all they need and would rather feel good about holding firm in their position, regardless of the lost opportunity to make more money.

Now, it is no surprise that the workforce is not looking out for the best interests of the business. But what is surprising is the extent to which business owners aren’t, either. On many occasions, I have purchased items and wanted to buy more of what had run out. I’d then ask the small business owner to call me when more inventory arrives. Not once have I ever gotten that call, yet when I drop by the store again, the items are there. On many occasions, I have agreed to buy something where the business needs to first measure or do something at the office or house, but they never show up or call. In some cases, all they have to do is simply deliver the product I am willing to buy, but they never show up.

I find it unfathomable how Colombian business owners are not opportunistic in their own business interests and can neglect basic customer service and follow-through.
Banking and accessing cash in Colombia is another hardship. Since Colombia is a destination for laundered money, legitimate businesses get to bear the brunt of the added restrictions, regulations, and the outright refusal of many banks to do business with them.

Very few things are automated in Colombia, so paying for basic services will require trips to a bank or payment center. The infrastructure is also unreliable.
Being an American means that anything not store-bought will be offered to you at a price higher than the going rate. If you use a Colombian to act on your behalf to negotiate a better purchase price, they will take a slice of the action, and you will still pay more.

Now, if all this were not bad enough, the most difficult hurdle in having your own business in Colombia is that most of your employees will try to steal from you. It doesn’t matter if you pay two or three times more than anyone else; they are still going to steal from you. It is not unusual for store owners to have employees frisked before leaving their shifts. When not closely supervised, most employees will steal time, making it hard for many small business owners to take a vacation or leave the office.

If you have a service business, you can expect your employees to steal your clients. I have often been approached by employees on a service call telling me that they can fix, service, or sell me something on the side for less money. Imagine running a business where most of your employees are trying to take a piece of the action away from you whenever they can. Instead of representing you, they will be competing with you.

Many small business owners have family making up their workforce to better protect their interests, at the sacrifice of competence. If you hire relatives and friends, a common practice in Colombia, you are drawing from a restricted labor pool and accessing less talent.

Big companies aren’t immune, either. I have been to the biggest chain stores in Colombia where employees have offered to personally sell me something for less money. Now, where would they get such items to personally sell me if not by stealing from the very store they work for?

Excessive crime outside the work environment also creates a security burden, and it’s not unusual for Colombian businesses to pay “protection” money to criminals and neighborhood gangs.

Colombia is a permanent work in progress. So, unless you are an active, adventurous, on-site owner in Colombia with strong management and control skills, you just won’t make it.

A lack of preparedness and understanding of the realities of Colombia has been the downfall of many Americans who think that simply providing capital is all that is needed. Colombia is a nation of over forty-five million people, yet you will find very few successful North American business owners. If there were easy business opportunities here, gringo business owners (like me) wouldn’t be such a rare sight.

For those still undeterred by the difficult challenges of doing business in Colombia, I am available for consultation.

Well, you would think so, but not in Colombia. Your vacation is about to be ruined.

First, any accident will be deemed your fault. The Colombian justice system is not fair to Colombians; as a foreigner, your blamelessness will never even be considered. The transportation police will write up that you smashed into the other vehicle with the front end of your car, even though the physical evidence shows the front end of your car is untouched and it is the back end that is damaged from being hit from behind. Such details won’t matter because the traffic investigators won’t take any photographs to contradict their version of the accident scene.

Okay, well, it is a good thing you are fully insured. Who cares if they say it’s your fault? You can now go on your way… but no, you can’t. They are now going to tow your fully functioning car away which you will pay for. They are also going to tow the “victim’s” car away, because remember, Colombia’s justice system is not fair to Colombians, either. The transportation police will then ask you to sign a document that, if you look carefully, will say you are at fault. Don’t sign it.

You now have to contact your insurance company so that you can get your car back. “Okay, so now I may be delayed a couple of days, and then I’m back on the road to paradise.” Wishful thinking. You now have to spend time collecting and supplying information to the insurance company; they’re not going to do that for you. You will then find out that your car can be held for weeks, if you are lucky, and if not, months. Of course, you are going to pay for the storage of the car, because a racket squeezes you every way it can. If you did not pay for the insurance to cover such a bizarre scenario, which one would not imagine existed, you’ll be paying for the rental of the car while it sits in the impound lot. If you do not return the car, which is your responsibility, you will then lose your deposit.

So, do you really want to rent a car in Colombia, where they treat an innocent victim like a lawbreaker?

“This may be your only chance to find a foreign bride.”

This is not your only chance, just your best chance.