Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday, May 6, accused U.S. Representative Mario Díaz-Balart of leading a plan to remove him from office. In statements posted on X, Petro alleged that the Florida congressman is coordinating efforts with Colombia’s far-right to orchestrate his ousting through legislative means. He further claimed that these actions aim to prevent his participation in upcoming electoral campaigns.

Armed groups kill 31 security personnel in Colombia since mid-April

Since April 15, 19 police officers and 12 soldiers have been killed by armed groups in Colombia, according to official reports . President Gustavo Petro described the attacks as a "plan pistola," a strategy involving targeted killings of law enforcement personnel, first used by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1990s. Police state that cash bounties have been placed on officers, mirroring Escobar’s earlier tactics. Security analysts attribute the violence to retaliation by groups such as the Gaitanist Army of Colombia and the National Liberation Army, which have faced recent government crackdowns.

Colombia to join China's Belt and Road Initiative

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Tuesday that he will sign a letter of intent to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative during his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping. The agreement is expected to formalise Colombia’s participation in the infrastructure and investment programme, which is a key element of China’s global economic strategy. 

Colombia advances esports legislation 

Colombia’s online gambling sector is set for change following Senate approval of Law Project 026 of 2024, which now awaits presidential assent. The bill seeks to classify esports as an official sport, integrate it into the National Sports System, and legalise regulated esports betting. According to Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié, the legislation will expand betting options and promote growth within the regulated gambling market.

Over 200 Clan del Golfo members arrested in Colombia

Colombian authorities have arrested 217 members of Clan del Golfo, the country’s largest drug cartel, since April 15. The suspects are accused of involvement in the targeted killings of law enforcement personnel. President Gustavo Petro recently condemned the cartel’s strategy of “systematic assassinations,” alleging it offered bounties for police killings in a campaign resembling tactics used by Pablo Escobar in the 1990s. According to Admiral Francisco Cubides, head of the army, the coordinated crackdown also resulted in the deaths of 15 drug dealers. Security forces seized 6.8 tons of narcotics, approximately 100 firearms, and over 15,000 rounds of ammunition.

In 2020, the USA had a total trade volume of $4.3 trillion, with imports accounting for $2.5 trillion and exports for $1.8 trillion. China, on the other hand, had a total trade volume of $4.6 trillion, with exports accounting for $2.6 trillion and imports for $2.0 trillion.

When it comes to trade partnerships, the USA partners with numerous countries around the world, including the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. According to the US Trade Representative, the USA has free trade agreements with 20 countries, covering over 40% of US trade.

China, however, has trade partnerships with over 130 countries, including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. China is also a key player in regional trade agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Additionally, the trade composition of the USA and China differs significantly. The USA is a major importer of goods, with a significant portion of its imports consisting of electronics, machinery, and vehicles. According to the US Census Bureau, the top US imports in 2020 included:

- Electronics: $444 billion

- Machinery: $343 billion

- Vehicles: $284 billion

China, on the other hand, is a major exporter of goods, with a significant portion of its exports consisting of electronics, textiles, and machinery. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the top Chinese exports in 2020 included:

- Electronics: $683 billion

- Textiles: $143 billion

- Machinery: $134 billion

During a press briefing on September 2, Xu Jianping, Director of China's Regional Opening Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, announced that China will sign several new cooperation agreements with African countries during the FOCAC summit. These agreements will focus on further integrating African nations into the BRI framework, as reported by AFP.

Jianping underscored China's significant contributions to African infrastructure over the past decade. "Over the past 11 years, Chinese enterprises have participated in the construction and renovation of more than 10,000 kilometres (6,210 miles) of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometres (62,130 miles) of highways, nearly a thousand bridges, about a hundred ports, 66,000 kilometres (41,010 miles) of power transmission and transformation lines, and 150,000 kilometres (93,200 miles) of backbone communication networks in various African countries," he detailed.

He highlighted major railway projects that have shaped Africa's transportation network, stating, "In terms of railways, projects such as the Kenya Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, Ethiopia Djibouti Railway, and Nigeria Lagos-Ibadan Railway constructed by Chinese enterprises have effectively helped Africa form a railway backbone network."

China, currently the world's second-largest economy, has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for the 15th consecutive year. In 2023, bilateral trade between China and Africa reached $282.1 billion, with Chinese direct investment in the continent surpassing $40 billion, according to CGTN .

As the summit approaches, dozens of African leaders are arriving in Beijing, seeking to secure essential funding for infrastructure projects in their respective countries.

The 752km (467 miles) Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, also known as the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway, was handed over to the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway Share Company (EDR) after six years of operation. Meanwhile, the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) transferred over 90% of the operations of the 480km Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to the Kenya Railways Corporation, with a full handover expected by 2025, the South China Morning Post reports.

The Africa Star Railway Operation Company (Afristar), a subsidiary of CRBC, has managed the SGR since 2017, according to the South China Morning Post. Kenya Railways has been gradually assuming operations since 2021. "We are going to complete taking over operations from Afristar in 2025. All operations will be fully run and operated by Kenya Railways," Philip Mainga, managing director of Kenya Railways, said in May.

Recently, it was reported that East African nations joined Kenya in a collaborative effort to secure funding for the expansion of the SGR, aiming to link Kenya with Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The over $5 billion China Eximbank-financed railway runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi, with an extension to Naivasha, northwest of Nairobi.

Abdi Zenabi, executive director of the EDR, lauded the $4.5 billion railway project by China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) during its May 10 handover.

"The railway is more than just tracks and locomotives. It is a symbol of cooperation, friendship, and shared aspirations," Zenabi said. He noted that the railway, the first electrified transnational railway in East Africa, has opened new markets, attracted investments, and created job opportunities.

However, according to the report , observers mentioned that knowledge transfer remains "partial" to avoid giving away too much and potentially jeopardising future projects.

China's Premier Li Qiang has emphasised the need for the G20 to prioritise cooperation over development and promote sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth of the global economy. According to the Chinese publication People’s Daily , the Premier during the Virtual G20 Leaders' Summit on November 22 said, “The road to global economic recovery remains challenging, China is willing to work with all parties to uphold the original aspiration of cooperation, respond to the call of the times, and forge ahead to create a better future for humanity.”

Repatriation of soldiers

The remains of twenty-five Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) troops who died in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea between 1950 to 1953 were returned to China on November 23, from the Republic of Korea (ROK). A handover agreement between the two nations has allowed China and the Republic of Korea to execute ten consecutive rounds of such repatriations since 2014, Chinese media outlet Xinhua reported.

Belt and Road Initiative

China has released a document titled "Vision and Actions for High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Brighter Prospects for the Next Decade." The State Council of the People’s Republic of China reports that the document released on November 24 outlines five objectives: building a smoother connectivity network, ensuring comprehensive cooperation, elevating the sense of gain for participating countries, establishing a new system for China's open economy, and popularising a global community.

Satellite experiment

China has launched a technology experiment satellite into orbit from the Sichuan Province's Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwest of China. A Long March-2D carrier rocket launched the experiment satellite for satellite internet technologies on November 23, and it successfully entered its intended orbit. This is the Long March carrier rocket series' 498th launch, Xinhua reported.

Presidential talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou on bilateral relations between the two nations. The two leaders on November 22, announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the Chinese State Council reports. According to the State Council, this year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Uruguay, and the fifth anniversary of Uruguay's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. “China attaches great importance to the development of China-Latin America relations, appreciates Uruguay's active participation in overall China-Latin America cooperation, and other regional organizations in maintaining close political dialogue and economic and trade cooperation with China, and hopes that Uruguay will continue to promote China-Latin America cooperation,” Xi is quoted by the State Council.