Operations against the drug gangs that dominate the country side is having an effect. Tons of drugs are being seized, and some of it in embarrassing places (like the 58 pounds of cocaine and heroin found in the engine room of the navy's flagship). The drug cartels are fighting back, using roadside bombs and attacks on isolated police posts in an attempt to intimidate the army and police to back off. 

While the drug lords can no longer act with impunity in the countryside, because of the more aggressive presence of  troops and police, there is still the serious problem of corruption in the police force. While the elite police units can be trusted to go after the drug gangs, most cops are considered easily bribed. This corruption has been going on for so long that it is almost taken for granted. Cracking down on it will be difficult, and will mean a lot fewer cops on the job. But until the corrupt police problem is gone after, Colombian exiles will stay away and people will continue to leave the country.