Four escort-bodyguards who guided us across the border into Colombia's La Guajira province near Maicao, a notoriously lawless area. The province, including the border crossing, was shut down in a wholesale strike by local businessmen demanding more government police protection from out-of-control kidnapping and banditry. At the border was a mob of several hundred demonstrators, local citizens, and soldiers. Many people were heavily armed, and the atmosphere was tense. We arranged with the two older gentlemen standing behind to guide us through the back-country, bypassing the closed and barricaded border post. Our two guides, one of whom toted an ancient large-gauge shotgun, were indigenous Guajira people. The other two in the photo tagged along for the adventure and whatever loot might ensue.. We were guided off the highway and into the bush on a narrow dirt track that led through tiny indian settlements. We encountered several roadblocks manned by armed men, who allowed us to pass after discussion with our guides, plus a modest payment (US$0.25). Our Guajira guides seemed to know everyone we encountered in the villages along the way. I wished I understood their language, to know what the negotiations entailed!