Latest News

War for Gold: Colombia’s Sur de Bolívar trapped as ELN expands to Pacific

By Richard Emblin - August 5, 2025

The ELN guerrilla has intensified its offensive in Colombia’s Sur de Bolívar, deploying drones and battling rivals armed groups for control of alluvial gold mines. The region has become a testing ground for aerial terror, forcing some 7,500 to be confined in this dangerous chapter of the internal conflict.

Colombians to mobilize August 7 in defense of Uribe with 12-year Sentence

By Richard Emblin - August 4, 2025

Former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and bribery, sparking nationwide demostrations in his defense for August 7. Critics say President Petro is using the case to rewrite Colombia’s conflict history and legitimize former FARC’s human rights abuses.

Uribe Files Criminal Complaint Against Petro for Harassment and Defamation

By Richard Emblin - August 1, 2025

Former President Álvaro Uribe has filed a criminal complaint against President Gustavo Petro for harassment and defamation. The complaint cites Petro’s social media posts linking Uribe to paramilitarism and corruption, accusing the president of undermining due process and using official channels to attack a political rival during active legal proceedings.

Colombia Ramps Up Anti-Trafficking Efforts at Airports and Overland Borders

By The City Paper Staff - July 31, 2025

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Colombia reinforced efforts to combat human trafficking across airports and land borders, highlighting rescues abroad, citizen education, and tools like LibertApp, while strengthening international cooperation and judicial investigations against transnational trafficking networks.

Uribe’s Defense Team Decries ‘Lawfare’ After Historic Guilty Verdict

By Richard Emblin - July 29, 2025

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of witness tampering, but his defense claims the trial was politically motivated and legally flawed. They argue the judge ignored exculpatory evidence and relied on a discredited witness. Uribe’s legal team plans to appeal, calling the verdict an attack on due process.

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez addresses a crowd in Santa Fe de Antioquia. Photo: Twitter/Alvaro Uribe.

Guilty Verdict Against Álvaro Uribe Sparks Condemnation from U.S Lawmakers

By Richard Emblin - July 29, 2025

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of witness tampering and abuse of process, becoming the country’s first ex-head of state convicted at trial. U.S. Republican lawmakers condemned the verdict as political persecution, while Uribe’s legal team plans to appeal. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.

Álvaro Uribe Faces Verdict in Colombia’s ‘Trial of the Century’

By Richard Emblin - July 28, 2025

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe faces a historic court ruling Monday in a witness tampering case that could make him the first ex-head of state convicted in the country. The verdict, linked to attempts to discredit paramilitary accusations, may reshape Colombia’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.

Juan Manuel Echavarría and the Haunting Silence of Memory

By Richard Emblin - July 25, 2025

In a powerful Bogotá exhibition, Colombian artist Juan Manuel Echavarría brings the country’s hidden war into view — through abandoned schoolrooms, war-scarred voices, and the quiet gaze of witness.

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.