Challenge: Gran Colombia a Great Power by 1914

I love the idea of Gran Colombia, and would be immensely curious what could have changed to not only keep it around by have it be a Great Power by the time the Great War breaks out.

The first step I can think of is building the Panama Canal ASAP for trade but beyond that I can't decide much.

So somehow make a Gran Colombia that not only still exists by 1914 but have it on the Great Power level by the time the war breaks out.
 
Maybe if it had US backing and a stable political system so no infighting between regionalists and federalists

It could also continue to expand northwards like it planned to
 
Gran Colombia has the advantage of iron ore deposits, substantial forests, and vast coal reserves and hydropower potential. These are all some of the key resources of the early stages of the industrial revolution, and I believe some here have made the point that a Gran Colombia that remained united and achieved political stability would have the best chance of any South American state to industrialize and became a major player in the 19th century.
 
Gran Colombia has the advantage of iron ore deposits, substantial forests, and vast coal reserves and hydropower potential. These are all some of the key resources of the early stages of the industrial revolution, and I believe some here have made the point that a Gran Colombia that remained united and achieved political stability would have the best chance of any South American state to industrialize and became a major player in the 19th century.
Yes, it's hard to imagine a surviving Gran Colombia which doesn't become at least as great a power as Italy.
 
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