Latest News

“Before They Touch My Family, They’ll Have to Kill Me”: Uribe Warns Protest Outside Antioquia Estate

By Richard Emblin - May 20, 2026

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez confronted a group of protesters outside his residence in Rionegro, Antioquia, on Wednesday after activists began painting a mural referencing victims of Colombia’s “false positives” scandal. Videos and images shared widely on social media showed Uribe surrounded by security personnel while holding a paint roller near the wall where […]

Battle of the Polls: Valencia to Face Cepeda in Second Round

By Richard Emblin - May 14, 2026

A new national survey suggests Colombia’s 2026 presidential race is shaping into a high-stakes runoff between Iván Cepeda and conservative rival Paloma Valencia, with the first round on May 31 favoring the left-wing senator, but the second round – on June 21 – projecting a narrow victory for the Centro Democratico candidate. The latest poll […]

OSHORTS, the growing presence at Cannes is part of a long-term internationalization strategy. Photo: Black Velvet

BOGOSHORTS Expands Global Audience at Cannes With Latin American Short Films

By Richard Emblin - May 13, 2026

The Bogotá Short Film Festival – BOGOSHORTS – is strengthening its international footprint at the 79th Cannes Film Festival with a major presence at the Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry, positioning Colombian and regional filmmakers before one of the world’s most influential film markets. From May 13 to 24, this leading platforms for Latin […]

Qatar Airways will operate the CCS and BOG flights starting July 22, 2026. Photo: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Set to Operate to Caracas and Bogotá flights

By The City Paper Staff - May 11, 2026

Qatar Airways has affirmed its expansion in the Americas with the launch of new flight operations to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia, commencing from 22 July 2026. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate flights from […]

Explosive Drone Deactivated Near Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport

By The City Paper Staff - May 8, 2026

Colombian authorities have seized and safely deactivated a commercial drone carrying improvised explosive materials just 5.4 kilometers from Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport and the nearby Military Air Transport Command (CATAM), raising fresh security concerns in the capital three weeks before the country’s May 31 presidential election. The discovery marks a significant escalation from recent […]

From Bogotá to Barcelona: Why Summer Travel to Europe May Get Complicated

By Timothy Langham - May 7, 2026

For thousands of Colombians planning their long-awaited European summer escape, the season of sun-drenched piazzas, Mediterranean beaches and packed airport terminals may come with unexpected advice: think local. From Madrid and Paris to Rome and Athens, the 2026 summer travel season is approaching under the shadow of a mounting aviation crisis linked to the ongoing […]

In Mud We Trust: Ruby Rumié's volcano portraits are on display until June 27 at the Nohra Haime Gallery in New York. Photo: Ruby Rumié.

From Cartagena to Chelsea: Ruby Rumié Brings ¿How Are the Children? to New York

By Richard Emblin - May 6, 2026

At Nohra Haime Gallery, in Manhattan’s white-walled Chelsea district, Cartagena-based artist Ruby Rumié is asking a deceptively simple question: How are the children? It is not a casual greeting, nor the sentimental title of a new exhibition. Instead, it draws from the Maasai expression “Kasserian Ingera,” a phrase that measures the wellbeing of an entire […]

Fabio Ochoa Vasco is the latest member of the ex-Medellín cartel to return to Colombia. Photo: AI generated.

Medellín Cartel’s Fabio Ochoa Vasco Returns to Colombia After U.S. Prison Term

By Richard Emblin - May 5, 2026

Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco, a former insider of the defunct Medellín Cartel, and once accused by Pablo Escobar of betrayal and marked for death, has quietly returned to Colombia after serving a prison sentence in the United States, drawing renewed attention to the discreet return of aging narcotics operatives to the country. Ochoa Vasco, known […]

Colombia’s 2021 National Strike violence was coordinated with illegal armed groups

By The City Paper Staff - May 4, 2026

A landmark ruling by the Superior Tribunal of Bogotá has delivered one of the strongest judicial rebukes yet of the narrative surrounding Colombia’s 2021 National Strike, concluding that some of the most destructive episodes of violence during the protests were not spontaneous acts of social unrest but part of a coordinated criminal strategy involving illegal […]

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 […]

Colombia Elections: Cepeda Leads, Valencia Doubles in Race Down to Three

By The City Paper Staff - April 27, 2026

With just over a month to go before Colombia’s May 31 presidential election, a new Invamer poll suggests the race has narrowed to three viable contenders, as left-wing senator Iván Cepeda strengthens his lead and two right-wing rivals battle for a place in the runoff. The survey, conducted for Noticias Caracol and Blu Radio, shows […]

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 […]

Petro to meet Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, focus on border security

By Richard Emblin - April 24, 2026

Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on Friday to address security challenges along the shared border, marking their first official encounter since Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S special forces on January 3, 2026. The meeting, to be held at the Miraflores presidential palace, is expected to center […]

Lufthansa and Qatar Airways Narrowly Avert Air Collision Over Bogotá

By Richard Emblin - April 20, 2026

A Qatar Airways cargo jet and a Lufthansa passenger plane came within an estimated 200 meters of each other on final approach to Bogotá on Sunday evening, in a near miss that could have resulted in a major airline catastrophe. The incident unfolded near El Dorado International Airport as both aircraft were being guided toward […]

Colombia to cull wild hippos as population threatens Magdalena River ecosystems

By Richard Emblin - April 15, 2026

Colombia will cull dozens of invasive hippopotamuses descended from animals illegally imported by Pablo Escobar, as authorities warn the rapidly growing population is endangering ecosystems and local communities. Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres said the government has authorized the euthanasia of up to 80 animals as part of a broader strategy to control the herd, […]

Petro severs ties with Central Bank after Colombia rate rise

By The City Paper Staff - April 7, 2026

President Gustavo Petro has triggered a rare institutional confrontation with the Central Bank after he ordered to “break relations” following an modest interest rate increase, raising concerns over economic policy independence just two months before the May 31 presidential election. The board of Banco de la República voted on March 31 to raise its benchmark […]