Latest News

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.

Trial over Truth: Uribe and the Assault on Colombia’s Historical Memory

By Opinion Desk - August 6, 2025

Former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe’s 12-year house arrest sentence has ignited political turmoil, with critics calling it a selective prosecution aimed at rewriting the nation’s conflict narrative.

Colombia Accuses Peru of Taking Remote Island on Amazon River

By Richard Emblin - August 5, 2025

Colombia has accused Peru of illegally occupying a disputed island on the Amazon River, escalating tensions between the two neighbors. President Gustavo Petro claims Peru violated a 1934 treaty by creating the district of Santa Rosa de Loreto. Peru rejects the claim, asserting full sovereignty over its territory.

Colombians to mobilize August 7 in defense of Uribe with 12-year Sentence

By Richard Emblin - August 4, 2025

Former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and bribery, sparking nationwide demostrations in his defense for August 7. Critics say President Petro is using the case to rewrite Colombia’s conflict history and legitimize former FARC’s human rights abuses.

Uribe Files Criminal Complaint Against Petro for Harassment and Defamation

By Richard Emblin - August 1, 2025

Former President Álvaro Uribe has filed a criminal complaint against President Gustavo Petro for harassment and defamation. The complaint cites Petro’s social media posts linking Uribe to paramilitarism and corruption, accusing the president of undermining due process and using official channels to attack a political rival during active legal proceedings.