THE Colombian government is on a global hunt for spin-doctors to buff up its international image. President Alvaro Ulribe thinks “the stereotype of Colombia is not right’. Could that have something to do with all those murdered trade unionists and the implications of government-backed killer units? Not according to the briefing given to PR Week by Andelfo Garcia, the country’s representative to Britain. The magazine reports that the problem is that: “Colombia attracts lurid headlines for its cocaine production and the government’s ongoing battle against the rebel forces of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia [Farc] – renowned for multiple kidnappings of foreigners and wealthy Colombians.” Mr Garcia says: “We are a growing country with a good story to tell. We need someone to help us reach out to the UK media, its politicians and its businesses.” Any UK PR company foolish enough to pick up this hot potato contract must be prepared to see its own image go down the pan.