Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Latest News

Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella Pledges a ‘Miracle Nation’

By María Claudia Peña -

Standing behind a bulletproof screen beneath Barranquilla’s towering Ventana al Mundo monument, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella delivered a triumphant yet carefully choreographed victory speech Sunday night, promising to restore security, revive confidence in Colombia’s democratic institutions and govern for all Colombians after one of the closest presidential elections in the country’s modern history. Addressing […]

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U.S. Embassy warns Americans of possible election-related unrest in Colombia

By The City Paper Staff -

The United States Embassy in Bogotá has urged American citizens to exercise caution ahead of Colombia’s presidential runoff election on Sunday, warning of possible protests, transport disruptions and isolated violence, prompting a sharp rebuke from President Gustavo Petro, who accused Washington of unnecessarily alarming foreign nationals. The security alert, issued on Thursday, comes as Colombia […]

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Bogotá ramps up security ahead of Colombia’s pivotal presidential runoff

By Richard Emblin -

Bogotá is stepping up security and emergency preparations ahead of Sunday’s presidential runoff, deploying more than 12,500 police officers across the Colombian capital while easing alcohol restrictions after reaching a compromise with the city’s hospitality sector during the FIFA World Cup. Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán and Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez chaired a high-level Security Council […]

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After an Impeccable Campaign, Colombia’s “Tiger” Faces His Greatest Test

By Richard Emblin -

For the better part of a year, Colombians endured a presidential campaign in which a crowded field of hopefuls traded accusations, unveiled ambitious manifestos and promised to rescue a nation exhausted by polarization, economic uncertainty and a growing sense of institutional drift. When the dust settled, one candidate had consistently risen above the political cacophony: […]

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

By The City Paper Staff -

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 […]

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Bogotá Mayor Galán calls for 8,000 more police after deadly film set attack

By Richard Emblin -

Bogotá’s mayor has called for a major expansion of the city’s police force following a deadly knife attack on a television production set and a separate killing at a public transport station, as authorities warn of shifting patterns of urban crime in Colombia’s capital. Carlos Fernando Galán said the city requires at least 8,000 additional […]

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‘Invisible narco’ who enabled Tren de Aragua’s entry into Bogotá captured in police operation

By The City Paper Staff -

Colombian authorities have captured the alleged crime boss “Mison,” also known as the “invisible narco”, who played a key role in facilitating the arrival of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua in the capital Bogotá The suspect, also known as “El Viejo,” was detained in Ecuador and handed over to Colombian authorities at the […]

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Petro faces fresh political crisis after leaked audios link officials to alleged smuggler

By The City Paper Staff -

Fresh audio revelations broadcast by Noticias Caracol have triggered a political storm in Colombia, implicating senior government-linked figures in alleged secret contacts with one of the country’s most notorious smugglers, Diego Marín Buitrago. The recordings, aired late on April 5, appear to document meetings between intermediaries connected to President Gustavo Petro and the legal representative […]

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Colombia, Ecuador in trade and energy spat after Noboa announces 30% “security” tariff

By The City Paper Staff -

Colombia and Ecuador have started exchanging trade retaliations after Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced a 30% “security” tariff on imports from Colombia, escalating tensions between Andean neighbours over border security cooperation. Noboa said the measure would take effect on Feb. 1 and would remain in place until Colombia shows “real commitment” to jointly tackle drug […]

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Colombia records 40,663 murders under Petro, surpassing Santos and Duque

By The City Paper Staff -

Colombia has recorded 40,663 homicides during the first three years of President Gustavo Petro’s government, surpassing the totals reported under the administrations of Iván Duque and Juan Manuel Santos, according to a report published Tuesday by the Centro de Paz y Seguridad of Universidad Externado. The report documents killings between August 2022 and August 2025, […]

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Ex-Spychief Hugo Carvajal Warns U.S of Maduro’s “Narco-Terrorist” Regime

By The City Paper Staff -

Hugo Carvajal Barrios, the former Venezuelan intelligence chief known as “El Pollo,” has issued an explosive letter from a U.S. federal prison alleging that Nicolás Maduro’s government systematically used drug trafficking, criminal gangs, espionage networks, and even electoral technology as tools to undermine the United States. The 10-page statement, addressed to “President Trump and the […]

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Trump Calls Colombia’s Petro an “Illegal Drug Leader,” Halts U.S. Aid

By The City Paper Staff -

In an extraordinary escalation that threatens to end decades of strategic partnership, U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Sunday labeled Colombian President Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader” and announced the immediate suspension of U.S. financial aid to Colombia. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused […]

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Colombia Targets TdeA as U.S. Launches More Caribbean Strikes

By Richard Emblin -

Colombia’s National Police captured a top Venezuelan of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, hours after a second fugitive jumped to his death from his luxury apartment in Medellín. The recent offensive against TdeA comes as the leftist government of President Gustavo Petro also ruled out any possibility of peace talks with the transnational gang. […]

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White House Wants Petro to Retract Claims Of “Colombian Deaths” in Narco Strike

By Richard Emblin -

The White House said it would “welcome” a public retraction from Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he accused the U.S. military of killing Colombian citizens during a recent naval strike in the Caribbean, calling his remarks “baseless and reprehensible.” The clash underscores a widening diplomatic rift that now extends to international waters, deepening already strained […]

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