Latest News

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.

Colombians to Pay Higher Visa Fees with Trump’s “Beautiful Bill”

By The City Paper Staff - July 21, 2025

Starting October 1, Colombians and other foreign nationals seeking to visit the United States will face significantly higher visa fees, following the approval of new immigration measures contained in Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”.

Colombia Captures Top Italian Mafia Boss for Latin America in Bogotá Raid

By The City Paper Staff - July 15, 2025

Colombian police, with support from Europol and Italian and UK authorities, arrested Giuseppe Palermo, alias “Peppe,” the alleged head of the ‘Ndrangheta mafia in Latin America. Wanted in 196 countries, Palermo oversaw cocaine trafficking from Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador to Europe via maritime and land routes.

Ex-FARC Commanders Admit to Forcible Recruitment of More Than 18,000 Minors

By The City Paper Staff - July 10, 2025

The six former FARC commanders of the Secretariat admitted to recruiting more than 18,000 children during Colombia’s armed conflict, calling it a grave mistake before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.