And in 1997, the Uwa, near the Venezuelan border, drew worldwide attention when they threatened mass suicide in a successful protest to stop oil production.
When the government forces moved on Lethem the rebels fled, eventually going across the Venezuelan border.
It is just 30 km from the Venezuelan border.
He has experienced firsthand the results of encroaching civilization, most recently the building of Brazilian military bases on the Venezuelan border.
Palomino is very close to the Venezuelan border.
Palomino's location near the Venezuelan border contributes to commerce, movement of people and economic activity.
Strands of poppies are also increasingly being spotted along the Venezuelan border, according to Colombian government officials.
The first organic cocoa crop comes from the Mabaruma area in the north-west of the country, along the Venezuelan border.
They begin to get into trouble with the authorities when they attempt to cross over the Venezuelan border.
In a separate haul near the Venezuelan border police discovered 45 kilos of the drug being transported in the back of an ambulance.