Santo Domingo Sabio, Medellin

Carlos Villalon

Set Ref:180

Date:10/11/2009

Since March of this year war has once again broken out on the streets of Medellin, the one-time cradle of the world cocaine trade. Last weekend alone, authorities reported 54 drug-related killings. This weekend the toll was 22, according to city officials.

Until recently competing drug gangs in Medellin followed rules laid down by the so-called Office of Envigado -- formerly commanded by Diego Murillo, aka, Don Berna, currently extradited to USA on drug trafficking charges. But that pact has broken down as traffickers from the Office flipped sides or were killed.

The current levels of violence in Medellin outpace the drug hotspots of Mexico. Though by virtue of proximity to the US, Mexico continues to overshadow Colombia in the world headlines.