Latest News

Trump Calls Colombia’s Petro an “Illegal Drug Leader,” Halts U.S. Aid

By The City Paper Staff - October 19, 2025

In an extraordinary escalation that threatens to end decades of strategic partnership, U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Sunday labeled Colombian President Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader” and announced the immediate suspension of U.S. financial aid to Colombia. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused […]

The so-called "Congreso de los Pueblos" has occupied five government buildings this week. Photo: Richard Emblin

Bogotá: “Criminal structures” behind Congress of the Peoples protest

By The City Paper Staff - October 16, 2025

A wave of coordinated protests and building occupations by the social movement known as the “Congress of the Peoples” has raised alarms in Bogotá this week, after Interior Minister Armando Benedetti claimed that “criminal structures” are behind the unrest, pointing to alleged infiltration by armed groups, most notably the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla. The […]

Venezuelan Activists Attacked in Bogotá During Targeted Shooting

By The City Paper Staff - October 14, 2025

Two Venezuelan human rights activists living in exile in Colombia were wounded in a targeted shooting on Monday afternoon in northern Bogotá, an attack that has renewed fears over the safety of political dissidents in the country. The assault took place just days after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel […]

Medellín’s Gutiérrez clamps down on transnational mafias, bolsters U.S. ties

By The City Paper Staff - October 1, 2025

Medellín mayor Federico “Fico” Gutiérrez launched a crackdown on transnational mafias operating in Parque Lleras, vowing the city “will not be a refuge” for crime. He also met U.S. envoy John McNamara, strengthening security and trade ties as Colombia’s national government faces strained relations with Washington.

Birthrates in Colombia plunge over 30% in a decade

By The City Paper Staff - September 26, 2025

Colombia’s birthrate has plunged 31% in a decade, with just 453,901 babies born in 2024, according to the country’s statistics agency DANE. Rising living costs, lifestyle shifts and economic insecurity are driving the decline, echoing global trends.

U.S. Decertifies Colombia’s Anti-Drug Efforts, Petro on the Defensive

By The City Paper Staff - September 16, 2025

The United States has decertified Colombia’s anti-drug efforts for the first time since 1994, citing record coca crops under President Gustavo Petro. While Washington issued a waiver to maintain aid, the move risks straining a key alliance and jeopardizing $453 million in U.S. assistance.

Bogotá braces for protests and mobility havoc on Tuesday

By The City Paper Staff - September 15, 2025

Bogotá drivers from multiple sectors plan a mass protest on September 17 against Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, citing 18 grievances including corruption, insecurity, and abusive mobility policies. The demonstration threatens major traffic disruptions in Colombia’s capital.

Labor Ministry suspends Bogotá’s Andrés D.C. after safety incident

By The City Paper Staff - September 10, 2025

Colombia’s Ministry of Labor has ordered the immediate suspension of activities at Bogotá’s iconic Andrés D.C. restaurant after an inspection found safety risks. The decision follows an accident that left nine customers injured.

Petro Hardens Rhetoric on Maduro as U.S. Certification Deadline Nears

By The City Paper Staff - September 9, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has toughened his stance on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and suggested a return to aerial fumigation of coca crops after soldiers were kidnapped in Cauca, as Washington weighs whether to decertify Colombia in its anti-narcotics efforts.

CELAC Convenes Urgent Meeting Over U.S Deployment in the Caribbean

By The City Paper Staff - September 1, 2025

Colombia, as Celac chair, convened an urgent virtual meeting of regional foreign ministers to discuss U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean. Venezuela condemned the warships as a hostile threat, urging condemnation, while Bogotá stressed dialogue and respect for sovereignty amid growing regional security concerns.

Kidnapped Soldiers in Colombia’s Guaviare Running Low on Food and Water

By The City Paper Staff - August 28, 2025

Thirty-four Colombian soldiers have been held hostage for over four days in Guaviare after clashes with FARC dissidents. Surrounded by civilians, they face dwindling food and water supplies as government and international mediators work to secure their release.

U.S. Sends Nuclear Submarine USS Newport News toward Venezuela

By The City Paper Staff - August 27, 2025

The United States deployed the nuclear submarine USS Newport News and cruiser USS Lake Erie to the Caribbean, escalating tensions with Venezuela. Caracas responded with warship and troop deployments, and lodged a U.N. complaint accusing Washington of intimidation and violating disarmament commitments.

Bogotá Strikes a Chord with Bach 340 Festival

By The City Paper Staff - August 27, 2025

Bogotá launches the first edition of Bogotá Concertante – Bach 340 (27–31 August 2025), a festival with 20 concerts, workshops and masterclasses across libraries, museums and theaters. Most events are free, celebrating Bach’s legacy and Colombia’s independent classical ensembles.

Terror Attacks Across Colombia Kill 19, Injure 70 in Cali and Antioquia

By The City Paper Staff - August 21, 2025

At least eleven people are dead in Colombia after FARC dissidents detonated a truck bomb outside an air force base in Cali and shot down a police helicopter in Antioquia, in one of the deadliest days of recent violence.

Petro Tells Trump That Military Action in Venezuela is “Worst Mistake”

By The City Paper Staff - August 20, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned U.S. President Donald Trump that military action in Venezuela would be the “worst mistake,” after Washington deployed three warships to the Caribbean. Petro said an intervention risked dragging Colombia into a Syria-like conflict while fueling regional instability.

Colombia Ramps Up Anti-Trafficking Efforts at Airports and Overland Borders

By The City Paper Staff - July 31, 2025

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Colombia reinforced efforts to combat human trafficking across airports and land borders, highlighting rescues abroad, citizen education, and tools like LibertApp, while strengthening international cooperation and judicial investigations against transnational trafficking networks.