Colombians join the hemisphere’s first civilian bomb squad

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  Gloria Nancy Vasquez was left partially blind and deaf by a landmine explosion in Argelia, Colombia in 2005. Now she's among a group being trained to be the hemisphere's first mine disposal team. Albeiro Lopera / Speical to The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / Special to The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / For The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / For The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / Special for The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / For The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / For The Miami Herald

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  Colombia had more injuries due to anti-personnel mines last year than any other country in the world but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now a group of farmers and ranchers – including mine victims – are being trained to be the country’s first civilian anti-personnel mine disposal group. Albeiro Lopera / For The Miami Herald

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  Mine-disposal trainees heading to work near El Retiro, Colombia. The workers are being trained to become the hemisphere’s first cvilian demining operation. Almost 500 people were injured or killed in landmine accidents last year in Colombia. Albeiro Lopera / For The Miami Herald