Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Latest News

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

By Richard Emblin -

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 […]

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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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Colombia tributes political legacy of ex-VP Germán Vargas Lleras

By Richard Emblin -

The departure of former Vice President Germán Vargas Lleras’s coffin from Bogotá’s Palacio de San Carlos on Monday morning blended state mourning with unmistakable political symbolism, as Colombia’s political elite gathered to bid farewell to one of the country’s most influential figures. His daughter, Clemencia Vargas Umaña, attended the ceremony accompanied by her father’s two […]

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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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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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Drone sighting forces second suspension of flights at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport in one week

By The City Paper Staff -

Colombia’s busiest airport, Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport, was forced to suspend operations early on Thursday after authorities detected a drone near the runway approach path, marking the second disruption in the same week and raising renewed concerns over aviation security at one of Latin America’s busiest air hubs. The latest incident occurred at 5:20 […]

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Francis Alÿs at MAMU: A Global Portrait of Childhood Through Play

By Richard Emblin -

At a time when children are increasingly indoors – absorbed by screens, separated from the street and distanced from the spontaneous rituals of neighborhood play – a new exhibition by the Banco de la República has launched at the Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia (MAMU), and one that asks a deceptively simple question: what happened […]

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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 Elections: Cepeda Leads, Valencia Doubles in Race Down to Three

By The City Paper Staff -

With just over a month to go before Colombia’s May 31 presidential election, a new Invamer poll suggests the race has narrowed to three viable contenders, as left-wing senator Iván Cepeda strengthens his lead and two right-wing rivals battle for a place in the runoff. The survey, conducted for Noticias Caracol and Blu Radio, shows […]

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