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If Colombia’s Left Loses, Will It Accept the Verdict of Democracy?

By Richard Emblin - June 9, 2026

For a country that has spent decades trying to strengthen its democratic institutions, Colombia finds itself confronting an uncomfortable question ahead of the June 21 presidential runoff: If Iván Cepeda loses, will his political movement accept defeat? It is a question that would have seemed unthinkable only a generation ago. Yet it has become increasingly […]

Trump Endorses De La Espriella, Calls Cepeda a “Radical Left-Wing Marxist”

By Richard Emblin - June 3, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his unconditional support behind Colombian hard-right presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella, offering what he described as his “complete and total endorsement” ahead of the country’s June 21 runoff election. The endorsement, published Tuesday evening on Trump’s Truth Social platform, immediately injected an international dimension into Colombia’s […]

Trump Nominates Nate Morris as U.S. Ambassador to Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - June 2, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Kentucky businessman and political ally Nathaniel “Nate” Morris to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Colombia, placing a prominent supporter of the Republican president at the helm of one of Washington’s most important diplomatic posts in Latin America. The nomination was formally submitted to lawmakers on Monday, one […]

Voting Begins in Colombia’s Closely Watched Presidential Race

By Richard Emblin - May 31, 2026

Much of Colombia woke up to temperate weather and clear skies over the capital, Bogotá. As lines began to form outside polling stations when they opened at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, voters cast their ballots in one of the country’s most closely watched presidential elections in decades, a contest that could redefine the political direction […]

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

By Richard Emblin - May 27, 2026

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 […]

Colombia Enters Final Week of Contentious 2026 Presidential Campaign

By Richard Emblin - May 25, 2026

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 […]

“Before They Touch My Family, They’ll Have to Kill Me”: Uribe Warns Protest Outside Antioquia Estate

By Richard Emblin - May 20, 2026

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 […]

Battle of the Polls: Valencia to Face Cepeda in Second Round

By Richard Emblin - May 14, 2026

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 […]

Colombia tributes political legacy of ex-VP Germán Vargas Lleras

By Richard Emblin - May 11, 2026

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 […]

Colombia’s 2021 National Strike violence was coordinated with illegal armed groups

By The City Paper Staff - May 4, 2026

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 […]

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

By The City Paper Staff - April 27, 2026

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 […]

Petro to meet Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, focus on border security

By Richard Emblin - April 24, 2026

Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on Friday to address security challenges along the shared border, marking their first official encounter since Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S special forces on January 3, 2026. The meeting, to be held at the Miraflores presidential palace, is expected to center […]

Petro faces fresh political crisis after leaked audios link officials to alleged smuggler

By The City Paper Staff - April 6, 2026

Fresh audio revelations broadcast by Noticias Caracol have triggered a political storm in Colombia, implicating senior government-linked figures in alleged secret contacts with one of the country’s most notorious smugglers, Diego Marín Buitrago. The recordings, aired late on April 5, appear to document meetings between intermediaries connected to President Gustavo Petro and the legal representative […]

Colombia on brink of outlawing female genital mutilation in landmark vote

By The City Paper Staff - March 31, 2026

Colombia is on the verge of banning female genital mutilation (FGM), as lawmakers advance legislation that would outlaw a practice still reported in parts of the country, making it the only nation in Latin America where cases have been documented. In a unanimous decision, the First Commission of the Senate approved the bill in its […]

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and U.S President Donald Trump inside the White House. Photo: The White House

U.S. prosecutors probe Colombia’s Petro over alleged narco links, NYT reports

By The City Paper Staff - March 20, 2026

U.S. federal prosecutors have opened preliminary criminal investigations into Colombian President Gustavo Petro over alleged links to drug traffickers and possible illicit financing of his 2022 campaign, according to a report by The New York Times. The previously undisclosed probes are being conducted by federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Brooklyn and involve specialists in international […]

Colombia – Ecuador rift widens over cross-border bombings

By The City Paper Staff - March 17, 2026

President Gustavo Petro accused Ecuador on Monday of carrying out bombing raids inside Colombian territory, sharply escalating a diplomatic and trade dispute that has been simmering since January. Petro said “27 charred bodies” have been found near the border and suggested the attacks could not have been carried out by illegal armed groups, though he […]