Latest News

De La Espriella launches all-out offensive against corruption and “white-collar criminals”

By The City Paper Staff - September 14, 2026

Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella launched a forceful attack on corruption during an televised address to the nation Sunday, targeting both those convicted of crimes involving public funds and those who, he says, attempt to use their positions, influence or personal connections to secure special treatment. In a speech focused on the victims of […]

Colombia’s armed groups turn TikTok and Facebook into recruiting grounds for children

By The City Paper Staff - September 1, 2026

Colombia’s long-running conflict has found a new recruiting ground, one that fits inside a child’s pocket. Human Rights Watch has warned that illegal armed groups are increasingly using TikTok, Facebook and other social-media platforms to recruit children, combining propaganda, promises of money and status, coded language and carefully chosen emojis to draw minors toward illegal […]

UNGRD Decision Not to Request Foreign Rescuers Sparks Controversy

By The City Paper Staff - August 14, 2026

Amidst the rubble and destruction caused by Monday’s devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake across much as Central and Southwest Colombia, reports are surfacing that the leftist government of ex-President Gustavo Petro initially decided that the country did not need specialized international search-and-rescue teams. According to a letter signed by Javier Pava, the former head of the National […]

Petro Uses Independence Day Address to Challenge Election Results

By Richard Emblin - July 21, 2026

Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro used his final Independence Day address to Congress on Monday to question the legitimacy of Colombia’s presidential election, accuse the United States of imposing the country’s next leader and urge supporters to prepare mass protests if the incoming government reverses his reforms. The speech, delivered less than three weeks before […]

Colombia’s President-Elect Urges International Oversight for Democratic Transition

By The City Paper Staff - July 8, 2026

Colombia’s president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has appealed to the international community to closely monitor the country’s democratic transition, as outgoing President Gustavo Petro and opposition leader Iván Cepeda attempt to undermine the August 7 transfer of power. In a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, the criminal defense lawyer said he had […]

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

By María Claudia Peña - June 23, 2026

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 […]

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

By The City Paper Staff - June 19, 2026

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 […]

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

By Richard Emblin - June 17, 2026

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: […]

Football Jersey Wars: Are Civil Liberties Being Sabotaged in Colombia’s Presidential Run-Off?

By Richard Emblin - June 10, 2026

During four years of Gustavo Petro’s presidential term, Colombians have witnessed the symbolic resurrection of flags and banners that many believe should be relegated to the country’s violent past. The president has brandished Simón Bolívar’s sword at political events, invoked images of the M-19 guerrilla movement of which he was once a member, and even […]

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

By Richard Emblin - June 1, 2026

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) […]

Right-wing De La Espriella in Face-Off Election Against Marxist Iván Cepeda

By The City Paper Staff - May 31, 2026

Right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella emerged as the frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday, setting up a high-stakes runoff against left-wing senator Iván Cepeda in a contest that could reshape the political future of one of Latin America’s largest economies. With more than 97% of ballots counted, National Registry Bulletin […]

Voting Begins in Colombia’s Closely Watched Presidential Race

By Richard Emblin - May 31, 2026

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 […]

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

By The City Paper Staff - May 29, 2026

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. […]

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

By The City Paper Staff - May 28, 2026

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 […]

Former Colombia FM Álvaro Leyva Accuses Petro of Undermining Colombia’s Elections

By Richard Emblin - May 27, 2026

Former Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva Durán launched a blistering attack against President Gustavo Petro just days before Colombia heads to the polls on May 31, warning of what he described as looming threats to the country’s democratic institutions and accusing the government of preparing to reject an unfavorable electoral outcome. In a lengthy manifesto […]

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 […]