Colombia want to host 2014 World Cup

Bogota (Colombia): Despite one of the world's highest murder rates, violence-wracked Colombia wants to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement was made on Saturday by President Alvaro Uribe, who said the country's four-decade civil war had calmed sufficiently for the country to bid for soccer's most important tournament.

Uribe said Vice President Francisco Santos would lead a campaign to promote the country's candidacy.

"The Fatherland can do it and can do it well," said Uribe during a speech to inaugurate the 20th Central America and Caribbean games taking place in the coastal resort town of Cartagena.

Some 5,200 athletes from 32 countries in the western hemisphere are expected to participate in the two-week competition.