Latest News

Passengers are rescued from a municipal bus in Cauca, Colombia, during Saturday's terrorist attack on the Pan-American highway. Photo: X

U.S. Issues Strong “Do Not Travel” Advisory for Southwestern Colombia

By Richard Emblin - April 29, 2026

The United States has updated a “do not travel” warning for large parts of southwestern Colombia after a wave of terrorist attacks have left over 20 people dead, underscoring growing international concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation and prompting regional authorities to demand stronger support from the leftist government of President Gustavo Petro. The […]

Carnage along the Pan-American highway after FARC dissidents detonated a bomb killing at least 20 civilians on Saturday. Photo: X

Colombia reels from worst terrorist attack in decades as Petro celebrates birthday

By The City Paper Staff - April 27, 2026

Colombians are expressing outrage and grief after a bombing attributed to dissident factions of the former FARC killed 20 people and left injured 46, marking the country’s deadliest attack in over a decade. The blast on Saturday afternoon tore through a stretch of the Pan-American Highway near Cajibío, in the southwestern department of Cauca, leaving […]

UN report warns Colombia faces worsening human rights crisis

By Richard Emblin - February 26, 2026

Colombia is at risk of sliding back into one of the darkest chapters of its recent history, according to a stark new report by the United Nations, which warns that escalating violence, territorial control by illegal armed groups and political instability are eroding hard-won human rights gains. The annual assessment by the Office of the […]

The Puracé in Cauca reaches 4,650 meters (15,256 feet) and sits at the northern end of the Los Coconucos volcanic chain. Photo: Servicio Geológico Colombiano

Puracé Volcano in Southwest Colombia Shows Increased Seismic Activity

By The City Paper Staff - November 25, 2025

The Puracé volcano in southwest Colombia has registered a noticeable uptick in seismic and gas-emission activity over the last 24-hours, prompting authorities to maintain heightened monitoring of one of the country’s most active volcanic systems. The Colombian Geological Service, known as the SGC, said the latest measurements indicate an increase in seismic signals associated with […]

Bombings in Colombia’s southwest kill Eight, leave 75 injured

By The City Paper Staff - June 11, 2025

Tuesday’s attacks across southwest Colombia by FARC dissidents in have killed eight persons and injured 75. Colombian President Gustavo Petro faces mounting pressure amid rising violence and a constitutional crisis over his proposed referendum rejected in May by Congress.

With Miguel Uribe in Critical Condition, FARC Dissidents Attack Southwest Colombia

By Richard Emblin - June 10, 2025

FARC dissidents have launched coordinated attacks across southwest Colombia, killing at least four and injuring dozens in Cauca, Valle del Cauca, and Cali. Explosions targeted police stations and infrastructure, while a sniper killed an officer. The violence follows the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, who remains in critical condition.

Since FARC Accord, some 1,494 minors recruited by Colombia’s armed groups

By The City Paper Staff - May 9, 2025

Illegal armed groups operating in Colombia are increasingly turning to social media platforms to forcibly recruit children and adolescents into their ranks, according to a harrowing new report by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).At least 1,494 children and adolescents have been forcibly recruited since the 2016 peace accord.

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.

Over 1,200 indigenous protesters occupy Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar

By Richard Emblin - April 3, 2025

Some 1,200 Indigenous people from Colombia’s southwestern departments have gathered peacefully in Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar for a third consecutive day, calling for a meeting with President Gustavo Petro to discuss violence in their territories and the government’s unfulfilled commitments.

Cauca under fire. FARC dissidents launch wave of terror attacks

By The City Paper Staff - March 27, 2025

FARC dissidents launched coordinated attacks across ten municipalities in the department of Cauca, Colombia, killing one soldier and injuring over 80 people. Explosives strapped to motorbikes, drone strikes, and armed assaults have prompted heightened security in the southwest of the country.

ELN warns Colombia’s Petro that it “Will Never Accept Submission or Surrender”

By Richard Emblin - February 3, 2025

As Colombia escalates its military operations against the ELN guerrilla after weeks of violence in Catatumbo region, President Petro disclosed classified intelligence on social media. The ELN has vowed to not surrender, while security threats deepen in the department of Cauca.

Colombian Army reclaims El Plateado from FARC Dissidents with Operation “Perseo”

By The City Paper Staff - October 15, 2024

The Colombian Army has regained control of El Plateado in the department of Cauca during a large-scale military operation. The offensive in the southwest of the country comes a week before the start of the COP16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Valle del Cauca.

Betancourt responds to “Gafas” joining FARC dissidents: “Man of Infinite Darkness”

By Richard Emblin - October 8, 2024

Former FARC hostage Ingrid Betancourt reacted strongly to Alexánder Farfán Suárez, alias “Gafas,” rejoining dissident factions, calling him “a man of infinite darkness.” Betancourt criticized his appointment as a peace facilitator by President Petro, stating that it was evident to former captives that the move was a “farce.”

Indigenous blockade on Colombia’s Pan-American highway turns violent

By The City Paper Staff - August 21, 2024

An explosive device has killed one person and injured another during indigenous protests blocking the Colombia’s Pan-American Highway in the department of Cauca, escalating tensions with the Petro government.

United Nations expresses deep concern over escalating violence in Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - June 17, 2024

An attack by FARC dissidents against the father of Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez and escalating violence in the department of Cauca promoted the United Nations to issue a strong condemnation.

Colombian schoolchildren’s desperate prayers amid FARC attacks in Cauca

By Richard Emblin - May 29, 2024

Terrified children in Suárez, Cauca, cower under desks as FARC dissidents clash with the Colombian Army, revealing the harsh realities of ongoing violence in the southwest of the country. The plight of Cauca has been overshadowed by President Petro’s obsessive social media posts on Gaza.