Latest News

Colombia Marks 40 Years Since Palace of Justice Siege by M-19

By Richard Emblin - November 6, 2025

Forty years after one of the darkest chapters in Colombia’s modern history, the country is commemorating the 1985 Palace of Justice siege amid fierce controversy over President Gustavo Petro’s attempts to reinterpret and elevate the legacy of the M-19 — the guerrilla to which he once belonged and which unleashed one of the bloodiest attacks […]

Carlos Lehder’s sudden return to Colombia revives legacy of Medellin Cartel

By Richard Emblin - March 31, 2025

Carlos Lehder, one of the founding leaders of the Medellín Cartel and a key figure in the history of cocaine trafficking, was arrested by Colombian authorities upon his arrival from Germany on Friday, March 28.

Medellín’s Comuna 13 rejects Pablo Escobar memorabilia

By Richard Emblin - January 7, 2025

Medellín’s Comuna 13 attracts nearly 900,000 visitors annually, blending vibrant art with community-focused tourism. The merchandise and tours glorifying Pablo Escobar have overshadowed the identity of a city rooted in culture and innovation.

Medellín’s “Fico” Gutiérrez pushes to ban Escobar-themed merchandise and narco-tours

By Richard Emblin - November 20, 2024

Medellín mayor Federico Gutiérrez wants to clamp down on narco-tours of the city’s Comuna 13 and the sale of merchandise that references the druglord of the infamous drugs cartel.

Antioquia wants to expedite translocation of Escobar’s “cocaine hippos”

By The City Paper Staff - March 6, 2023

Mexico’s zoo network and animal protection sanctuary Ostok has offered to receive 70 hippos that have reproduced since they were imported to Colombia by drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Colombia declares the hippo an “invasive species”

By Richard Emblin - March 28, 2022

The Humboldt Institute estimates that within a decade, Colombia’s hippo population will reach 700. The hippo was introduced by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

For Colombia, one hundred hippos is one too many

By Richard Emblin - January 20, 2021

Controversy is raging over how to curb the exponential growth in Colombia’s exotic hippo population that began with four creatures imported by Pablo Escobar.