Friday, September 25, 2026

Latest News

Petro Challenges Election Results as Colombia’s “Tiger” Clinches First-Round Victory

By Richard Emblin -

The hard-right presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella emerged as the frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday, setting up a June 21 runoff against left-wing senator Iván Cepeda after a closely contested first round that was quickly overshadowed by President Gustavo Petro’s allegations of electoral irregularities. According to the final bulletin (No.67) […]

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Voting Begins in Colombia’s Closely Watched Presidential Race

By Richard Emblin -

Much of Colombia woke up to temperate weather and clear skies over the capital, Bogotá. As lines began to form outside polling stations when they opened at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, voters cast their ballots in one of the country’s most closely watched presidential elections in decades, a contest that could redefine the political direction […]

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Bogotá, Colombia brace for presidential vote with dry law, security alerts and international observers

By The City Paper Staff -

Colombia is preparing for one of the largest international election observation missions in its history as the country heads toward Sunday’s presidential election amid heightened security measures, dry laws and nationwide institutional alerts aimed at safeguarding the democratic process. Polling stations across Colombia will open on Sunday, May 31, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. […]

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Colombia’s Armed Forces confirm over 50 dead in FARC dissident clashes in Guaviare

By The City Paper Staff -

Colombia’s Armed Forces and regional authorities are struggling to verify the full scale of a bloody confrontation between rival FARC dissident factions in the remote southeastern department of Guaviare after clashes reportedly left more than 50 combatants dead. The fighting, described by officials as one of the deadliest episodes this year involving former Revolutionary Armed […]

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Colombia Enters Final Week of Contentious 2026 Presidential Campaign

By Richard Emblin -

Colombia entered the final week of campaigning on Monday ahead of a presidential election that has exposed deep political divisions, sharpened ideological tensions and raised concerns over the country’s security and economic future. The three leading candidates in the 2026 race wrapped up major public appearances over the weekend with rallies across Bogotá, where supporters […]

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Colombia on Guard as ‘Super’ El Niño Threatens Record Heat, Drought and Food Security

By The City Paper Staff -

A potentially historic El Niño climate event is emerging as one of the defining stories for Colombia through the remainder of 2026, with authorities warning that extreme heat, drought, water shortages and energy pressures could push vulnerable regions toward crisis conditions. Climate agencies, environmental authorities and agricultural groups are increasingly sounding alarms over what some […]

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

By Richard Emblin -

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 […]

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

By Richard Emblin -

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 […]

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BOGOSHORTS Expands Global Audience at Cannes With Latin American Short Films

By Richard Emblin -

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 […]

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Qatar Airways Set to Operate to Caracas and Bogotá flights

By The City Paper Staff -

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 […]

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Explosive Drone Deactivated Near Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport

By The City Paper Staff -

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 […]

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

By Timothy Langham -

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 […]

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

By Richard Emblin -

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 […]

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

By The City Paper Staff -

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 […]

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

By Richard Emblin -

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 […]

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