7 October 2010Last updated at 14:42

How Colombia's army changed fortunes of a mountain town

The Colombian town of San Carlos, in the Antioquia area, is a three-hour drive east of Medellin. It is set amid beautiful tree-covered mountains and glistening lakes. But for many years it was too dangerous to travel there by road.

A decade ago, more than half the population of San Carlos had left the town, driven away by the conflict between leftist guerrillas and right-wing paramilitaries.

Military personnel and local man in San Carlos

Now the illegal armed groups have left the area following a government military campaign, and the army and police have a constant visible presence in the town.

A pretty red brick church dominates the square, the centre of town life.

Memorial in San Carlos's square honouring town's dead

A memorial to some of those who died or disappeared during the years of conflict in Colombia has been erected in the town square.

Most locals have embraced the army's presence since peace returned to San Carlos.

San Carlos residents hold a public meeting

Local people, many of whom have recently returned, meet to discuss what they need now to make the town thrive again.

Their vision for the future is the strengthening of state institutions, economic and social progress, peace and cooperation.

Garden of hope display remembering those who died in violence in Colombian town of San Carlos

The "garden of hope" display is mounted in a house which used to be the headquarters of a paramilitary group. It was made by local people to remember the victims of the violence.

Each paper butterfly and flower bears the name of one of the victims killed in the violence.

The shops in San Carlos are bustling. Nine thousand people have returned to San Carlos in the past three years.

Children walking to school in San Carlos, Colombia

Schools have reopened in the Colombian town and people say their children now have a hope of a better future.

Latin America & Caribbean

How Colombia's army changed fortunes of a mountain town

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