Latest News

Colombia’s Indigenous Minga descend on Bogotá for May Day Protests

By The City Paper Staff - April 30, 2025

More than 16,000 Indigenous protesters have arrived in Bogotá ahead of May Day marches supporting President Petro’s reform agenda. Their occupation of the National University sparked tensions after confrontations with students and reports of machete-armed individuals. Authorities are coordinating security as mass demonstrations are expected across the capital on Thursday.

Colombian family among victims in deadly Vancouver Festival attack

By The City Paper Staff - April 30, 2025

A Colombian family was among 11 people killed when a vehicle drove into crowds at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival. Vigils are being held citywide. The suspect, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, faces multiple murder charges. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended one of the memorials.

IMF Suspends Colombia’s $9.8bn Credit Line over fiscal concerns

By The City Paper Staff - April 28, 2025

The IMF has suspended Colombia’s $9.8bn credit line, citing rising public debt and fiscal risk. President Petro responded with a personal attack on IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, sparking political backlash. Analysts warn the move could hurt investor confidence and raise borrowing costs amid global financial uncertainty.

Germany and Colombia sign Migration Partnership aimed at curbing asylum claims

By The City Paper Staff - April 24, 2025

Germany and Colombia have signed a joint declaration to expand legal migration and curb irregular flows. The agreement aims to reduce asylum claims and promote labour, education, and training opportunities for Colombians, amid Germany’s push to fill skilled worker shortages.

Ex-Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva claims Petro has a drug problem

By The City Paper Staff - April 23, 2025

In a respectful, yet unapologetic letter to President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s former Foreign Minister, Álvaro Leyva Durán expressed his deep disappointment in the current adminstration and blames the leftist leader’s “erratic behaviour” on substance abuse.

Colombia’s Petro delivers offhand remark regarding U.S visa status

By The City Paper Staff - April 22, 2025

Colombia’s Gustavo Petro has once again stirred controversy with the United States after claiming that the Department of State may have revoked his travel visa.

Seeds of Memory: MAMU tributes Colombia’s Biodiversity and Food Sovereignty

By The City Paper Staff - April 22, 2025

The Banco de la República’s Semana de las Semillas (Seed Week), held April 21–26 at MAMU in Bogotá, highlights seed preservation as biocultural heritage. Events in Santa Marta, Quibdó, and Buenaventura celebrate ancestral food traditions, agroecological knowledge, and community resistance to industrial agriculture.

Pope Francis, Advocate of Colombia’s Peace Accord, Dies at 88

By The City Paper Staff - April 21, 2025

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and tireless advocate for Colombia’s 2016 peace accord with FARC rebels, died at 88. His 2017 visit helped heal a war-torn nation. Revered globally for championing reconciliation, he bridged faith and diplomacy during a transformative era for the Catholic Church.

An Aedes Aegypti mosquito bites a human.

Colombia declares national health emergency with Yellow Fever outbreak

By The City Paper Staff - April 19, 2025

Colombia has declared a national health emergency amid a yellow fever outbreak, with 76 cases and 34 deaths reported. President Gustavo Petro has ordered a mass vaccination campaign, targeting both rural and urban areas. Bogotá has set up immunization points at bus terminals and El Dorado Airport to curb further spread.

Bogotá’s VII Classical Music Festival showcases the Sound of the Americas

By The City Paper Staff - April 14, 2025

From Philip Glass to Piazzolla, the seventh edition of Bogotá’s acclaimed classical music festival Bogotá Es América pays homage to the continent’s vast sonic landscape. The festival hosted by Teatro Mayor will present 40 concerts, 11 of which are free to the public.

Inside the Paradises and Enchanted Gardens of Colombian Art at MAMU

By The City Paper Staff - April 11, 2025

An exhibition at Bogotá’s Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia (MAMU) traces centuries of Colombian artists’ relationship with nature – through oil, ink, watercolor and flowers.

After a severe water crisis in Bogotá, Mayor Galán ends rationing

By The City Paper Staff - April 11, 2025

Bogotá ends year-long water rationing as Chingaza reservoir levels stabilize, marking a major recovery from one of the city’s worst water crises. Mayor Galán urges continued conservation, citing improved inflows, weather, and public cooperation in avoiding supply disruption.

Colombia’s peso struggles with Wall Street turmoil and oil slump

By The City Paper Staff - April 8, 2025

The Colombian peso slumped amid Wall Street’s sell-off and falling oil prices, but has steadied near COP$4,400 to the USD. The currency remains volatile as global markets rebound on hopes of tariff negotiations.

Another hit to US-Colombia relations after Noem describes “contentious” Petro meeting

By The City Paper Staff - April 7, 2025

U.S.- Colombia relations are under strain after U.S. Secretary Kristi Noem described her meeting with President Petro as “contentious,” claiming he was friends with cartel members. Colombia has categorially rejected the remarks, calling them false and damaging to bilateral cooperation on security and migration.

Colombia to replace Kfirs with Sweden’s SAAB Gripen fighter jet

By The City Paper Staff - April 3, 2025

Colombia has signed a letter of intent to purchase between 16 and 24 modern fighter jets from Sweden. The deal with aircraft manufacturer SAAB would replace the country’s ageing Israeli Kfirs with the JAS39 Gripen.

IDEAM forecasts intense rains in Bogotá for three months

By The City Paper Staff - April 1, 2025

Bogotá and much of Colombia will face heavy rainfall until mid-June, IDEAM warns. Increased precipitation raises risks of floods, landslides, and river overflows, particularly in Andean and Caribbean regions. Authorities urge preventive measures amid worsening weather conditions.