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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.

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

Colombia’s AG Denies Assassination Plot Against Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán

By Richard Emblin - July 23, 2025

Colombia’s Attorney General has denied reports of a plot to assassinate Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, calling a wiretapped conversation aired by Noticias RCN a misinterpreted joke between drug dealers in Bucaramanga. The call appears to be unrelated to the investigation into the June 7 attack on Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay.

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.

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.

Ex-FARC Commanders Admit to Forcible Recruitment of More Than 18,000 Minors

By The City Paper Staff - July 10, 2025

The six former FARC commanders of the Secretariat admitted to recruiting more than 18,000 children during Colombia’s armed conflict, calling it a grave mistake before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

Miguel Uribe Leads Colombian Presidential Poll After Assassination Attempt

By Richard Emblin - July 8, 2025

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay leads early polls for the 2026 presidential race despite recovering from a June 7 assassination attempt. Authorities have arrested alias El Costeño, one of the alleged masterminds behind the attack. Uribe’s surge in support reflects growing public concern over security and political violence ahead of the elections.

Colombia’s Petro tells U.S President Trump: “We Must Rise to the Occasion”

By Richard Emblin - July 7, 2025

On June 23, Colombian President Gustavo Petro sent a conciliatory letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, retracting earlier coup claims and urging renewed dialogue amid a deepening diplomatic rift. Petro acknowledged his remarks may have been misinterpreted and proposed a U.S.–CELAC summit to rebuild trust. The White House has yet to respond.

Petro’s ‘Coup’ Allegations Deepen Colombia–U.S. Rift, Resolution Still Elusive

By The City Paper Staff - July 6, 2025

Colombia–U.S. relations have reached their lowest point in years after President Gustavo Petro accused U.S. lawmakers of plotting a coup. Washington recalled its top diplomat over “reprehensible” remarks, prompting Bogotá to withdraw its ambassador. Tensions mount as visa sanctions loom and key bilateral cooperation on security and narcotics hangs in balance.

Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia Resigns as Washington Weighs “Certification” of Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - July 3, 2025

Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia resigned Thursday, weakening President Gustavo Petro’s government and straining ties with Washington as the U.S. weighs decertifying Colombia over narcotics policy. Sarabia, a key Petro ally, had clashed with officials over foreign policy decisions and was seen as a crucial link to U.S. diplomacy.

Mass Grave in Guaviare Confirms Execution of Church Group by FARC Dissidents

By The City Paper Staff - July 2, 2025

Colombian authorities have uncovered a mass grave in Guaviare containing the bodies of eight evangelical church members abducted in April. Prosecutors say FARC dissidents executed the victims for being from Arauca. The massacre, Colombia’s deadliest of 2025, underscores rising violence and the failure of state presence in remote regions.