Latest News

Colombia’s Justice Minister sounds alarm over child suicides linked to forced recruitment

By The City Paper Staff - February 17, 2025

Colombia’s Justice Minister Ángela María Buitrago warned of rising child suicides linked to forced recruitment by armed groups. Cases surged over 1,000% in four years, particularly in rural areas like Chocó, highlighting the government’s struggle to protect vulnerable youth.

U.S. to designate Colombia’s Gulf Clan as a Terrorist Organization

By The City Paper Staff - February 13, 2025

The Trump administration designates eight Latin American gangs, including Colombia’s Gulf Clan, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, escalating U.S. counterterrorism efforts against narcotrafficking, human smuggling, and organized crime in the Western Hemisphere.

Defence Minister resigns as ELN violence engulfs Colombia’s Chocó

By The City Paper Staff - February 11, 2025

Colombia faces escalating violence as ELN guerrillas and the Clan del Golfo battle for control in Chocó, displacing thousands and confining over 50,000 residents. Defense Minister Iván Velásquez resigns amid worsening security, leaving vulnerable communities at the mercy of illegal armed groups.

Petro’s cabinet in turmoil as resignations follow Benedetti’s appointment

By The City Paper Staff - February 10, 2025

President Gustavo Petro’s government faces turmoil after key ministers resigned in protest of Armando Benedetti’s appointment as Chief of Staff. Benedetti, implicated in charges of illegal campaign financing, and dubious ties to Venezuela’s Maduro regime, has deepened divisions within Petro’s administration.

ELN warns Colombia’s Petro that it “Will Never Accept Submission or Surrender”

By Richard Emblin - February 3, 2025

As Colombia escalates its military operations against the ELN guerrilla after weeks of violence in Catatumbo region, President Petro disclosed classified intelligence on social media. The ELN has vowed to not surrender, while security threats deepen in the department of Cauca.

As Deportation Flights continue, Colombians face visa suspensions amid dispute

By The City Paper Staff - January 29, 2025

Colombia received its third deportation flight from the U.S. amid a diplomatic standoff between Petro and Trump. With the suspension of travel visas, Petro’s late-night social media postings have fueled concern over his erratic leadership style.

Colombia’s Liberal Party declares independence from Petro’s Government

By The City Paper Staff - January 29, 2025

Former President César Gaviria and leader of the Liberal Party announced the break, citing institutional decline and recent governance debacle, including migrant crisis with President Trump.

Petro triggers political crisis with U.S. before temporary resolution

By The City Paper Staff - January 27, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro sparked a diplomatic crisis with the U.S. by rejecting deportee flights, prompting retaliatory tariffs and visa sanctions from President Trump. Petro ultimately relented, agreeing to U.S. demands to resume deportations under strict American conditions.

Displaced from Colombia’s Catatumbo at 36,000 confirms Defensoría

By The City Paper Staff - January 23, 2025

Colombia’s Armed Forces launch an offensive in Catatumbo as violence between ELN and FARC dissidents displaces 36,000. The Ombudsman warns other regions, including Cauca, Guaviare, Valle del Cauca and Cauca, risk similar humanitarian crises.

Conflict in Catatumbo sparks Colombia’s worst humanitarian crisis in decades

By The City Paper Staff - January 21, 2025

Violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region has displaced 20,000 people amid clashes between ELN guerrillas and FARC dissidents. Humanitarian aid is overwhelmed as thousands flee to urban centers. Authorities report 100 fatalities, with children comprising 35% of the displaced population.

President Gustavo Petro in San Andrés on the day of the kidnapping of 79 Colombian policemen. Photo: Presidencia

Colombia’s Petro declares “State of Siege” over Catatumbo violence

By The City Paper Staff - January 20, 2025

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has declared a state of siege amid escalating violence in Catatumbo, Norte de Santander, displacing 11,000 people. Petro accuses the ELN of becoming a drug cartel, vowing tough military action against the guerrilla.

ELN and FARC dissidents fight for control of Colombia’s Catatumbo

By The City Paper Staff - January 18, 2025

Clashes between Colombia’s ELN guerrilla and FARC dissidents in the mountainous Catatumbo region have killed 30, injured 20, and displaced 100 families. President Gustavo Petro suspended peace talks, citing war crimes, as violence disrupts vulnerable communities, commerce, and education.

Trump snubs Colombia’s Petro for presidential inauguration

By The City Paper Staff - January 16, 2025

Trump’s inauguration is expected to draw over 200,000 attendees to Washington, D.C., with international delegations, ministers, and diplomats eager to forge ties with the new administration. Colombia’s Gustavo Petro not on the guest list.

As Trump inauguration looms, Venezuela’s political crisis tests Petro Government

By Richard Emblin - January 14, 2025

Colombia faces escalating tensions with Venezuela as former President Álvaro Uribe advocates U.N-backed military intervention. As President-elect Trump’s inauguration looms, questions about U.S. policy toward the crisis and regional diplomatic strategies under his leadership remain unclear.

Venezuela at “Historic Moment”; Colombia tightens security along border

By Richard Emblin - January 9, 2025

Colombia’s Ambassador will attend Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration amid criticism. Security tightens along the border as protests erupt worldwide against Maduro’s regime. Venezuela issues arrest orders for nine former Latin American presidents, including Andrés Pastrana.

Maduro activates Venezuela’s “full security force” as tensions escalate in Caracas

By Richard Emblin - January 8, 2025

Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has activated the state’s security forces ahead of his January 10 inauguration. Opposition leader Edmundo González and nine ex-presidents are expected in Caracas for large-scale anti-regime protests on Thursday.