Latest News

Does Colombia’s “Binational Zone” with Venezuela Legitimize an Illegitimate Regime?

By Richard Emblin - July 24, 2025

Colombia and Venezuela have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a “binational zone of peace, unity, and development” along their shared border. Former President Álvaro Uribe called the initiative “unacceptable” and described it as a step toward surrendering Colombian sovereignty

ELN Modifies Drones To Target Colombia’s Security Forces

By Richard Emblin - July 22, 2025

Three Colombian soldiers were killed and eight injured in a drone attack by ELN guerrillas on Independence Day in Norte de Santander. The strike marks a deadly escalation in the use of weaponized drones, as armed groups increasingly adopt remote warfare tactics in Colombia’s ongoing internal conflict.

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”.

Bogotá Cracks Down on Drug Gangs and Stolen Vehicle Parts in Security Sweeps

By Richard Emblin - July 18, 2025

Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán announced two major security operations: the arrest of 31 gang members distributing drugs near schools and universities, and the seizure of 150 stolen vehicle engines in Siete de Agosto. Galán warned that rising drug production is fueling urban crime nationwide.

Colombia Bets Big on Instant Payments With Central Bank’s BRE-B

By Richard Emblin - July 17, 2025

Colombia has launched BRE-B, a real-time payments system developed by its central bank to unify digital transactions across banks and wallets. The free platform allows instant money transfers nationwide and aims to boost financial inclusion, mirroring Brazil’s Pix model while addressing high fees and limited interoperability in the country.

Bogotá and Avianca Launch South America’s First Official “Stopover” Program

By Richard Emblin - July 16, 2025

Bogotá and Avianca have launched StopOver Bogotá, South America’s first official stopover program, allowing international transit passengers to explore the city for up to 24 hours. The initiative aims to attract 472,000 additional visitors and boost tourism revenue for key attractions.

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.

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay Begins Neurorehabilitation After ‘Favorable’ Response

By Richard Emblin - July 14, 2025

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay has begun neurorehabilitation after showing clinical improvement, over a month after surviving a gun attack in Bogotá. He remains in intensive care with a reserved neurological prognosis. His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, described his recovery as a “chain of miracles” in her first public interview.

Miguel Uribe Leads Colombian Presidential Poll After Assassination Attempt

By Richard Emblin - July 8, 2025

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay leads early polls for the 2026 presidential race despite recovering from a June 7 assassination attempt. Authorities have arrested alias El Costeño, one of the alleged masterminds behind the attack. Uribe’s surge in support reflects growing public concern over security and political violence ahead of the elections.

Colombia’s Petro tells U.S President Trump: “We Must Rise to the Occasion”

By Richard Emblin - July 7, 2025

On June 23, Colombian President Gustavo Petro sent a conciliatory letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, retracting earlier coup claims and urging renewed dialogue amid a deepening diplomatic rift. Petro acknowledged his remarks may have been misinterpreted and proposed a U.S.–CELAC summit to rebuild trust. The White House has yet to respond.

Petro’s ‘Coup’ Allegations Deepen Colombia–U.S. Rift, Resolution Still Elusive

By The City Paper Staff - July 6, 2025

Colombia–U.S. relations have reached their lowest point in years after President Gustavo Petro accused U.S. lawmakers of plotting a coup. Washington recalled its top diplomat over “reprehensible” remarks, prompting Bogotá to withdraw its ambassador. Tensions mount as visa sanctions loom and key bilateral cooperation on security and narcotics hangs in balance.

Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia Resigns as Washington Weighs “Certification” of Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - July 3, 2025

Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia resigned Thursday, weakening President Gustavo Petro’s government and straining ties with Washington as the U.S. weighs decertifying Colombia over narcotics policy. Sarabia, a key Petro ally, had clashed with officials over foreign policy decisions and was seen as a crucial link to U.S. diplomacy.

Mass Grave in Guaviare Confirms Execution of Church Group by FARC Dissidents

By The City Paper Staff - July 2, 2025

Colombian authorities have uncovered a mass grave in Guaviare containing the bodies of eight evangelical church members abducted in April. Prosecutors say FARC dissidents executed the victims for being from Arauca. The massacre, Colombia’s deadliest of 2025, underscores rising violence and the failure of state presence in remote regions.

Cocaine Production Hits Record High, Colombia’s Coca Crop at 253,000 Hectares

By The City Paper Staff - June 26, 2025

Global cocaine production hit a record 3,708 tons in 2023, driven by a surge in coca cultivation in Colombia, the UN reported. Cocaine use, seizures, and drug-related environmental crimes are rising worldwide, with Indigenous communities in the Amazon disproportionately affected by violence, displacement, and illegal gold mining

Petro Faces Criminal Case Over “Hostile” Social Media Against Miguel Uribe

By The City Paper Staff - June 25, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro faces a formal criminal complaint over 43 statements allegedly inciting hostility against Senator Miguel Uribe, who remains in critical condition after a June 7 assassination attempt. The case can only deepen tensions amid a politically volatile pre-election campaign.

At the Crossroads of Global Trade, Singapore Redefines the Power of the Port

By Richard Emblin - June 24, 2025

PSA Singapore, the world’s largest container transshipment hub, handled a record 40.9 million TEUs in 2024. From its colonial origins in 1819, Singapore has become a global logistics powerhouse, with Tuas Port leading in automation, sustainability, and connectivity to over 600 ports worldwide.