Was Colombia such a nightmarish place in the 90s?

It seems from every discussion found online makes it that Colombia was a horrible place in the 90s in parts due horrible homicide/crime rates caused cartel/gang violence, guerilla insurgency and paramilitary death squad roaming around the country but what's your or your family perspective on life in Colombia back in the 90s in terms of crime/security, culture/pop culture and economy and what's exactly change now compared to back then?