Latest News

Trump Calls Colombia’s Petro an “Illegal Drug Leader,” Halts U.S. Aid

By The City Paper Staff - October 19, 2025

In an extraordinary escalation that threatens to end decades of strategic partnership, U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Sunday labeled Colombian President Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader” and announced the immediate suspension of U.S. financial aid to Colombia. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused […]

Venezuelan Activists Attacked in Bogotá During Targeted Shooting

By The City Paper Staff - October 14, 2025

Two Venezuelan human rights activists living in exile in Colombia were wounded in a targeted shooting on Monday afternoon in northern Bogotá, an attack that has renewed fears over the safety of political dissidents in the country. The assault took place just days after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel […]

Nobel Prize: Machado “keeps the flame of democracy burning”

By Richard Emblin - October 10, 2025

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday, recognizing her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela” and her “struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Machado, 58, is the first Venezuelan to receive […]

Bogotá braces for pro-Palestine marches October 7, U.S Embassy closes

By Richard Emblin - October 7, 2025

The 21st century has witnessed many days of infamy, but among the most horrific was October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a coordinated assault on southern Israel. More than 1,200 people were killed, including 38 children, and 251 civilians were kidnapped – among them young men and women attending the Nova music festival. Families were […]

Medellín’s Gutiérrez clamps down on transnational mafias, bolsters U.S. ties

By The City Paper Staff - October 1, 2025

Medellín mayor Federico “Fico” Gutiérrez launched a crackdown on transnational mafias operating in Parque Lleras, vowing the city “will not be a refuge” for crime. He also met U.S. envoy John McNamara, strengthening security and trade ties as Colombia’s national government faces strained relations with Washington.

Senior cabinet members have been barred from U.S. after Petro’s defiant rally near Times Square, New York. Photo: X/MinCultura.

Mass visa revocations strip Petro’s cabinet of access to U.S

By Richard Emblin - September 30, 2025

Colombia’s confrontation with Washington escalated after the United States revoked President Gustavo Petro’s visa over incendiary remarks in New York, prompting key ministers to declare they would forfeit their own visas and leaving much of the government without the possibility of entering the United States.

Petro Implodes U.S-Colombia Relations With Final UN Speech

By Richard Emblin - September 24, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro detonated relations with Washington in a blistering UN speech, accusing Donald Trump of genocide, calling for his prosecution, and likening the U.S. to Nazi Germany. The U.S. delegation exited the chamber as Petro urged the world to form an armed coalition to liberate Gaza.

Maduro Seeks Dialogue with U.S, Petro Sidelined at UN

By Richard Emblin - September 22, 2025

Colombia’s Gustavo Petro is in New York ahead of the United Nation’s General Assembly. Petro trip to the U.S comes as Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro seeks to engage the Trump administration in dialogue, despite the military arsenal targeting drug boats in the Caribbean.

Petro lashes out at Trump after U.S. decertifies Colombia on drug fight

By Richard Emblin - September 18, 2025

Colombia’s Gustavo Petro lashed out at U.S. President Donald Trump after Washington decertified Colombia’s anti-drug efforts, calling the move an “injustice.” Petro defended record cocaine seizures, vowed not to extradite three traffickers engaged in peace talks, and accused the U.S. of a failed, decades-long drug policy.

The Shadow of U.S. Certification Looms Over Colombia

By Richard Emblin - September 8, 2025

Colombia faces a critical U.S. anti-narcotics certification decision by September 15, testing a security partnership with Washington. Despite record cocaine seizures, coca cultivation has surged, straining ties under President Petro. Defense Minister Sánchez warns decertification would empower illegal armed groups.

Petro Under Pressure as Venezuela Moves 15,000 Troops Toward Border

By Richard Emblin - August 25, 2025

Tensions are rising across the hemisphere after Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced that 15,000 troops will be sent to the border with Colombia as the U.S Navy presence in the Caribbean intensifies.

Petro Tells Trump That Military Action in Venezuela is “Worst Mistake”

By The City Paper Staff - August 20, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned U.S. President Donald Trump that military action in Venezuela would be the “worst mistake,” after Washington deployed three warships to the Caribbean. Petro said an intervention risked dragging Colombia into a Syria-like conflict while fueling regional instability.

U.S warships near Venezuela: Is Latin America’s left facing a reckoning?

By Richard Emblin - August 19, 2025

The United States has deployed three guided-missile destroyers to waters off Venezuela, escalating tensions with Nicolás Maduro, who has mobilised 4.5 million militia members. The move comes as Colombia mourns Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay a close ally of the Trump administration.

Colombia Says Goodbye to Miguel Uribe Turbay

By Richard Emblin - August 14, 2025

Miguel Uribe Turbay was laid to rest in Bogotá after an emotional farewell that began at the Capitol and ended at the Primary Cathedral. Leaders and citizens alike mourned the former senator, remembering his public service, legacy, and dedication to Colombia’s democratic values.

Washington Delegation to Attend Funeral of Slain Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe

By Richard Emblin - August 12, 2025

U.S President Donald Trump is sending a high-level delegation to Bogotá in the wake of the killing of Colombian opposition leader Miguel Uribe Turbay. The delegation will attend Wednesday’s funeral mass for the Senator and sends a direct message to President Petro after he showed solidarity with Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Miguel Uribe Turbay Dies at 39 After Assassination Attempt

By Richard Emblin - August 11, 2025

Miguel Uribe Turbay, the prominent Colombian politician and presidential candidate has died age 39, two months after an assassination attempt in Bogotá. Turbay was shot at close range in the head by a 15-year-old hired gunman.