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Once again, with political assassination back in the news, Colombia is overwhelmed with violence. Pelton knows the country well and thought it timely to revisit one of his films made 25 years ago. Not much has changed.

Creating a documentary is tough. Creating one on the fly, without a script, across a large and dangerous nation is even more challenging. When Discovery asked Robert Young Pelton to turn his bestselling book into a TV series, he drove a hard bargain: he would decide where and when to film, and Discovery would air it on the brand-new Travel Channel.

Pelton chose Colombia in spring 2000—the height of its war with leftist guerrillas, right-wing death squads, and narco-traffickers. On top of that, Men’s Journal sent famed adventure writer Tim Cahill and a photographer to profile Pelton during the shoot.

In just a few weeks, Pelton gained extraordinary access. He interviewed FARC leaders (a world exclusive), met AUC death squads, went into the jungle with smugglers, joined anti-drug operations and Marine patrols, and even immersed himself in Special Forces training. He spent time with Bogotá’s then-mayor, who cut a heart-shaped hole in his ballistic vest, and visited kidnapping victims. He also witnessed a murder firsthand—and prevented another over breakfast.

The result was a raw, multi-layered portrait of Colombia’s violence and resilience. Pelton documented morgues, funerals, and the toll of daily brutality, yet also highlighted how Colombians survive and strive to rebuild. His message remained clear: amid chaos, people fight to hold their country together.

Discovery aired the documentary uncensored, and Cahill later published his classic profile, The Most Dangerous Friend in the World. Though skeptical at first, he became close friends with Pelton—until his own near-death rafting experience “one-upped” even Pelton’s war stories.

📺 Watch the full Inside Colombia documentary

Further reading:

• Tim Cahill’s profile
• Pelton’s work

Robert Young Pelton is a Canadian-American author, journalist, filmmaker, and adventurer known for his conflict reporting and for venturing alone into some of the world's most dangerous and remote areas to chronicle history-shaping events. His work often involves interviewing military and political figures in war zones and spending time embedded with various groups, including the Taliban, Northern Alliance, CIA operatives, al Qaeda, and Blackwater .

He has been present at numerous conflicts, from Ukraine to the the Battle of Grozny and from Qali Jangi in Afghanistan to the rebel siege of Monrovia in Liberia.

Pelton is the author of several books, most notably the New York Times bestselling guide, "The World's Most Dangerous Places," which provides information for navigating high-risk zones. He has also written "Come Back Alive," a survival guide, and his autobiography, "The Adventurist: My Life in Dangerous Places". His work includes feature stories for National Geographic, Men’s Journal, Foreign Policy and Vice. He has worked as a contributing editor for National Geographic Adventure and has worked for major media networks like Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, CBS's 60 Minutes, ABC Investigative Division, and CNN.

Pelton is also the founder of DPx Gear, a company that designs rugged survival tools and knives based on his field experiences.