Latest News

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.

U.S. Decertifies Colombia’s Anti-Drug Efforts, Petro on the Defensive

By The City Paper Staff - September 16, 2025

The United States has decertified Colombia’s anti-drug efforts for the first time since 1994, citing record coca crops under President Gustavo Petro. While Washington issued a waiver to maintain aid, the move risks straining a key alliance and jeopardizing $453 million in U.S. assistance.

Petro Hardens Rhetoric on Maduro as U.S. Certification Deadline Nears

By The City Paper Staff - September 9, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has toughened his stance on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and suggested a return to aerial fumigation of coca crops after soldiers were kidnapped in Cauca, as Washington weighs whether to decertify Colombia in its anti-narcotics efforts.

CELAC Convenes Urgent Meeting Over U.S Deployment in the Caribbean

By The City Paper Staff - September 1, 2025

Colombia, as Celac chair, convened an urgent virtual meeting of regional foreign ministers to discuss U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean. Venezuela condemned the warships as a hostile threat, urging condemnation, while Bogotá stressed dialogue and respect for sovereignty amid growing regional security concerns.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.