What they said

Petro said the accusations would be dismantled in U.S. legal proceedings and denied any ties to traffickers. Colombia’s embassy stated, “The reported insinuations have no legal or factual basis.” Ecopetrol President Ricardo Roa said the allegations involving the state oil company “lacked all reality or logic.”

He explained that the initiative will be formally presented by Ghana’s president, John Dramani Mahama, before international bodies on March 25. The proposal seeks to classify slavery as "the gravest crime against humanity", aiming to establish a legal and moral precedent within the international system.

Ablakwa also said the international community has not fully acknowledged the gravity of these crimes or held those responsible accountable.

"For more than 300 years, Africans were treated as property, many of them in the most dehumanising and despicable circumstances. Perpetrators are yet to apologise and have not compensated the victims," Ablakwa said.

“It is unfortunate that our friends in the EU and the US have served notice that they will not be voting for this resolution, but the good news is that we are far more than them, and we want to be on the side of justice, on the right side of history ,” he added.

A new poll published by El Tiempo places Gustavo Cepeda in the lead ahead of Colombia’s 2026 presidential election with 34.5% support. He is followed by Paloma Valencia on 22.2%, while Abelardo De La Espriella trails with 15%. The survey reflects an increasingly competitive political landscape, with significant fragmentation among opposition figures. Analysts suggest the results highlight shifting voter preferences and early consolidation around leading candidates. With the election still months away, the figures remain fluid but indicate a strong старт for Cepeda’s campaign. The poll also underscores the importance of alliances as candidates seek to broaden support.

Colombia strengthens leadership with CELAC-Africa forum

Colombia has hosted a high-level forum between the CELAC and African representatives, reinforcing its diplomatic leadership role. According to the Foreign Ministry, the initiative aims to deepen cooperation in trade, sustainability and political dialogue between both regions. Officials described the meeting as a milestone in South-South relations, positioning Colombia as a bridge between Latin America and Africa. The forum also focused on shared challenges such as climate change and economic development. Authorities stressed the importance of multilateralism in addressing global issues. The event is part of Bogotá’s broader strategy to expand its international influence.

Birth rate in Antioquia falls to lowest level in 18 years

New data reported by DANE shows that births in Antioquia dropped to their lowest level in nearly two decades during 2025. The decline reflects broader demographic trends across Colombia, including lower fertility rates and changing social dynamics. Experts attribute the drop to economic uncertainty, increased access to education and shifting family planning choices. The figures raise concerns about long-term impacts on the labour force and economic growth. Authorities are monitoring the trend as part of national demographic planning. The data highlights a significant transformation in population patterns within the region.

Four Clan del Golfo suspects arrested in major operation

Colombian authorities have captured four alleged members of the Clan del Golfo wanted by the United States on drug trafficking charges. The operation was carried out by national police in coordination with international agencies, marking a significant blow to the criminal network. Officials stated that the suspects were involved in large-scale narcotics operations linked to transnational routes. The arrests form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle organised crime structures in Colombia. Authorities emphasised continued cooperation with US law enforcement. The case underscores the persistent challenge posed by drug trafficking groups.

Dispute grows over claims in Uribe assassination case

Tensions have escalated following accusations related to the assassination of Miguel Uribe Uribe, with Ivan Cepeda demanding concrete evidence to support recent claims. The controversy has reignited political debate, with differing factions disputing interpretations of historical responsibility. Cepeda criticised what he described as unfounded allegations and called for a fact-based approach. The issue has drawn renewed public attention to one of Colombia’s most emblematic political crimes. Analysts warn that the dispute could deepen existing political divisions. The case remains a sensitive topic in the country’s historical memory.

While air and maritime trafficking still play roles, land routes through Mexico dominate the final stage of the journey.

Here’s how the flow typically works.

The land route: Mexico as the gateway

The map above highlights a green land corridor running from Colombia northward through Panama and Central America, into Mexico and across major U.S. border cities such as El Paso, Laredo and Mexicali.

This aligns with findings from the DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment, which consistently reports that Mexican transnational criminal organisations control most wholesale drug distribution in the United States. After cocaine leaves South America, it is transported through countries including Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala before entering Mexico.

From there, it moves overland across the U.S.–Mexico border, often concealed in vehicles, commercial shipments or through smuggling tunnels. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seizure data regularly shows large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl intercepted at southwest border ports of entry.

The land route remains dominant because it allows traffickers to move bulk quantities with established logistics networks and corruption infrastructure already in place, according to the DEA.

The Sea route: Caribbean and Pacific maritime corridors

The map’s blue arrows illustrate maritime trafficking through both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

UNODC reports that traffickers frequently use “go-fast” boats , fishing vessels, semi-submersibles and container shipping to move cocaine from Colombia’s Pacific coast and Caribbean ports. From there, shipments pass through Central American coastal states or Caribbean islands before continuing north.

The U.S. Coast Guard plays a central role in maritime interdictions. In recent years, it has announced record cocaine seizures in the eastern Pacific, underscoring how significant the sea route remains. However, despite substantial seizures, maritime trafficking persists due to the vast expanse of open water and limited enforcement capacity relative to the scale of operations.

The air route

The map also shows air corridors from northern South America into Central America.

While less common for bulk shipments today than in the 1980s and 1990s, air trafficking still occurs. According to UNODC, traffickers use small aircraft to land in remote airstrips in countries such as Honduras and Nicaragua. From there, shipments are transferred to land vehicles for overland transport north.

Air routes are typically used for high-value loads that require speed and reduced exposure time.

While cocaine routes remain critical, the DEA notes that synthetic drugs such as fentanyl increasingly dominate the U.S. overdose crisis. Unlike cocaine, fentanyl is often manufactured in Mexico using precursor chemicals sourced from Asia and then trafficked across the land border.

This shift has further established Mexico’s role as the primary entry point for illicit drugs into the United States.

Córdoba Governor Erasmo Zuleta said around 80 per cent of the department has been impacted, including 24 of its 30 municipalities. Local authorities reported that river overflows and prolonged flooding have damaged homes and rural infrastructure, with more than 33,000 families particularly affected following a series of cold fronts that hit the Caribbean region in late January. Residents described the floods as unavoidable despite efforts to reinforce riverbanks with sandbags and makeshift barriers.

Emergency agencies remain focused on protecting lives and providing shelter and food to displaced families, according to Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. President Gustavo Petro said the scale of the disaster exceeds the state’s normal response capacity, citing 14 deaths, around 9,000 homes destroyed and more than 300,000 people affected nationwide as extreme weather continues to strain vulnerable communities.

Ecuador’s Olympic Committee (COE) warned that the country is close to facing a possible Olympic suspension due to alleged state interference in sports governance . The alert follows a conflict between the COE and Fedeguayas, after government pressure linked to leadership disputes within the federation. COE officials argue that state involvement violates the principle of autonomy required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They cautioned that continued interference could lead to sanctions, including exclusion from international competitions. Authorities have not ruled out dialogue, but tensions remain unresolved.

Ecuador reviews Colombia’s account of foreign ministers’ meeting

Ecuador’s government said it is analysing Colombia’s version of a recent bilateral meeting between foreign ministers, which outlined commitments on security cooperation, energy integration and tariff issues. Quito stressed the importance of coordination on cross-border security, particularly in the fight against organised crime. Officials highlighted energy collaboration and trade as shared priorities, while underscoring Ecuador’s interest in concrete follow-up mechanisms. The statement reflects cautious diplomacy as both countries seek to balance cooperation with national interests.

Messi sparks excitement as Inter Miami arrives in Guayaquil

Argentine football star Lionel Messi was enthusiastically welcomed by fans in Guayaquil ahead of a friendly match between Inter Miami and Barcelona SC, dubbed the “Match of History ”. Supporters gathered outside the Oro Verde Hotel, praising Messi’s legacy and expressing excitement at seeing him play in Ecuador. Authorities deployed a special security operation due to the scale of public interest. The match, part of Inter Miami’s South American tour, is expected to feature players such as Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, drawing significant attention nationwide.

Prison authority cites improvements at Penitenciaría del Litoral amid health concerns

Ecuador’s prison authority SNAI said it is implementing improvements in food provision and infrastructure at the Penitenciaría del Litoral following reports of sanitary problems. Officials claimed measures are underway to address hygiene, overcrowding and basic services at the facility. The prison has been at the centre of repeated crises, highlighting structural weaknesses in the penitentiary system. SNAI insisted that reforms are ongoing, though concerns from inmates’ relatives and human rights groups persist.

Scientist documents Ecuador’s butterflies after three decades of research

Entomologist Keith Willmott has spent more than 30 years studying Ecuador’s butterflies, documenting species with transparent wings and others affected by forest fires . His work combines field research and conservation science, contributing to global understanding of biodiversity in Ecuador’s ecosystems. Willmott has highlighted how habitat loss and climate change threaten butterfly populations. His research underscores Ecuador’s role as a biodiversity hotspot and the importance of long-term scientific study for conservation efforts.

Footage, taken by Viory, from the property shows extensive decay, with collapsed roofs and vegetation overtaking what was once a symbol of wealth and power during Escobar’s rise in the cocaine trade. The estate, named after Escobar’s daughter, continues to attract visitors, even as it stands abandoned and marked by the violence associated with his criminal empire.

Authorities said the auction represents a symbolic victory of the state over organised crime. The sale follows other measures to repurpose confiscated assets, including the transfer in 2025 of land from another Escobar property to rural women affected by Colombia’s armed conflict , as part of a reparations and agrarian reform programme.

The concerns come amid rising trade tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Ecuador recently announced a 30 per cent security tariff on all Colombian imports, citing insufficient cooperation on cross-border crime, including drug trafficking and illegal mining. Colombia responded by suspending electricity exports to Ecuador and imposing its own tariffs on a range of Ecuadorian goods, including rice.

Producers argue that Ecuador would bear the brunt of the dispute. While Colombia could source rice from alternative suppliers or rely on subsidised domestic stocks, Ecuadorian farmers have fewer options to redirect their exports. Industry representatives warn that uncertainty over access to the Colombian market is already discouraging some growers from planting new crops.

The impact could extend beyond farmers themselves. Ecuador relies heavily on Colombian imports such as fertilisers, plastics and vehicle parts, creating an imbalance that leaves rural communities particularly exposed to trade disruptions. With the tariffs set to take effect on 1 February, agricultural groups fear the measures will add to the economic strain faced by farm workers and small producers in one of Ecuador’s most important farming regions.

Ecuador’s government, led by President Daniel Noboa, announced the tariffs earlier this week, framing them as a response to what it described as a lack of reciprocity from Colombia on security cooperation. The measure affects a range of Colombian products and adds strain to an already delicate bilateral relationship.

“We sold them energy when they needed it,” Petro said, referring to electricity exports provided since late 2024. He added that now Ecuador’s situation has stabilised, the decision appeared driven more by political alignment than by regional solidarity, criticising what he described as diplomacy based on confrontation rather than cooperation.

Colombia and Ecuador maintain close economic and security ties, sharing a long and porous border that has required joint efforts against organised crime and smuggling.

Petro said renewed communication between the two sides has created space for Washington to better understand Colombia’s approach to tackling drug trafficking. He argued that dialogue now allows US authorities to grasp the scope of his government’s anti-narcotics strategy, which he described as broader than traditional enforcement-led policies .

Relations between the two leaders deteriorated sharply in early 2026 following a series of public exchanges. Trump described Colombia as a “sick country” and suggested military intervention to combat drug trafficking, comments that Petro rejected by calling for national mobilisation and warning that Colombia would defend its sovereignty. Ties began to stabilise after a phone call on 7 January, paving the way for Petro’s upcoming visit to the White House.

Cuervo’s claimed age surpasses that of Jeanne Louise Calment of France , who remains the longest-lived person officially recorded, having died at 122 years and 164 days. However, Cuervo’s status has yet to receive formal recognition.

Trump said Colombia remained a major source of cocaine entering the United States and described Petro as hostile to US interests, issuing a blunt warning as tensions between the two governments continued to rise.

Petro had earlier argued that the United States had historically “invaded” and taken territory that should belong to Latin America . He also defended Colombia’s role in the war on drugs and warned Trump against damaging nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations, cautioning him not to “awaken the jaguar”.

The exchange comes amid broader regional friction linked to US sanctions on Venezuela, drug trafficking policy, and shifting diplomatic dynamics between Washington and Latin American governments.

How the regional drug trade works

Colombia remains the world's largest producer and exporter of cocaine, with an estimated 80% of the global supply originating within its borders.

The nature of the illicit industry has evolved over the years, challenging the efforts of local and international law enforcement

Fentanyl vs. cocaine

Another key point missing in the discussions, and especially Donald Trump's misleading claim that each drug boat destroyed saves 25,000 American lives, is that the drugs causing America's crisis are not coming from South America. Fentanyl, produced mainly in Mexico, not cocaine, originating in Colombia and Venezuela, is the most lethal substance.

And indeed, the crisis did not begin with drug gangs. Americans were hooked by their own big businesses as pharmaceutical companies co-opted doctors to prescribe highly addictive opiates. As Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, put it: "If they (the USA) want to bomb something, they should bomb the headquarters of Perdue Pharma."

Maduro and the "Cartel of the Suns"

The Trump administration has labelled President Maduro the "drug dealer in chief," alleging he heads an organisation known as the "Cartel of the Suns." While the Maduro government certainly has links to the drug trade, describing it as a centrally commanded, organised cartel is misleading.

The Venezuelan state is characterised by extensive corruption, with local officials and governors taking cuts from the trade. And the links between the Venezuelan government and transnational crime groups are well documented.

However, the US government's actions - such as the recent pardoning of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of drug trafficking in the US- underscore that the real issue is that Maduro is an ideological foe of the administration, not necessarily a unique threat in the drug trade.

Drugs as a livelihood

Much of the debate around the attacks on boats has centred around the question of whether those on board were drug traffickers or simple fishermen. It's impossible to know, but the difference is also not as stark as it might seem. In poor coastal regions, the drug trade is a significant part of the economy, along with agriculture and fishing.

Under most legal codes, a drug dealer or a fisherman would have the same status in law unless convicted in court: innocent.

This is where Colombian president Gustavo Petro, not a natural ally of Maduro, meets his neighbour ideologically. Both argue that the law is being ignored, and their citizens have lost their right to a trial.

Next steps

The US seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast marks a significant escalation in the pressure exerted on Maduro. And while the Venezuelan president has already offered to resign, his terms were clearly not acceptable in Washington. Tensions are set to rise, and the people of Colombia and Venezuela, regardless of any links to the drug trade, will feel more pain.

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World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

The president argued that Colombia has shed “blood and blood” fighting drug trafficking for more than half a century, insisting that the issue cannot be addressed through force but through dialogue. He sharply criticised Trump’s remarks, accusing the United States of shifting blame while consuming the very narcotics Colombia has battled to curb. “Then the thanks are an insult,” Petro declared, adding that those who escalate threats risk awakening “the American jaguar that is asleep in the heart of the people.”

Trump’s comments earlier in the week, warning that any country producing or trafficking drugs into the US could be “subject to attacks”, raised concerns in Bogotá, particularly after he hinted Colombia could be added to the list of potential targets alongside Venezuela . His statement came as he renewed calls for ground operations against drug networks operating in Venezuelan territory.

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, with the US maintaining naval deployments in the Caribbean, including the USS Gerald Ford, as Venezuela mobilises its armed forces and millions of militia members. Petro’s intervention adds a new layer of regional friction as disputes over sovereignty, security and counternarcotics strategy intensify.

According to Gloria Arriero, Director of Colombia’s national immigration service, the adults arrived in the country between 22 and 23 October from the United States and Panama, entering with valid documentation. Their presence drew immediate attention after an alert and an anonymous tip prompted a joint investigation by Migration Colombia, the Gaula Militar Oriente, and the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF). The adults were held temporarily in Medellín before being transferred to New York , while the minors were placed under ICBF protection.

Arriero said the children would remain under the custody of New York State authorities to guarantee their safety and determine long-term protective measures. Colombian officials framed the operation as part of broader efforts to address cross-border risks involving vulnerable minors, especially in cases linked to groups already under international scrutiny.

Lev Tahor has faced years of allegations of abuse, mistreatment, and educational deprivation, reported by former members in different countries. The community, which established a compound in Colombia in October, has also been the subject of legal cases abroad. Its original leader, Shlomo Helbrans, convicted of fraud in the United States, died in Mexico in 2017, and the group has since attempted to establish communities in Canada and Guatemala.

Despite the controversies, Lev Tahor has repeatedly denied all accusations, insisting it is the target of religious persecution. The latest intervention in Colombia adds to a growing list of international actions involving the group, reflecting a wider global concern over the welfare of children within isolated religious communities.

The reform follows a ruling by the Corte Constitucional de Colombia, which demanded that the registry adapt its systems to allow gender markers beyond the traditional “male/female” binary. Implementation involved extensive technical adjustments, updating databases, printing systems and digital ID frameworks, to ensure that both physical and digital documents reflect the new options: “NB” for non-binary and “T” for trans.

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, this legal recognition goes beyond paperwork. It represents official validation of identities historically invisibilised by the state. According to advocates, having identity documents that reflect one’s self-perception is fundamental to accessing other civil rights , from employment and healthcare to political participation.

This reform also places Colombia among a growing list of countries seeking to modernise the concept of gender in state administration. By decoupling legal identity from rigid binary norms, the country signals a shift towards more inclusive policies a change that could set a precedent for other nations navigating the complexities of gender, identity and rights in a globalised world .

This divide, has of course been exploited by politicians. From the 1970s onwards, the left sought to build support among racial minorities, gradually altering its own identity. Once fundamentally class-based, the “left” in the early 21st century took the fight not only to imperialist and colonial legacies but also to all those perceived to embody that heritage.

As a result, the integration that once defined the region has partly given way to racial fragmentation. Electoral maps from the last 20 years closely mirror the ethnic makeup of communities.

In Bolivia, the Aymara leader Evo Morales won office not only because voters endorsed the programme of his Movement for Socialism, but because of affinity to his indigenous background. Large constituencies backed him as he used anti-colonial rhetoric to seize and redistribute land from elite farmers, often of Spanish heritage.

In Bolivia’s 2025 election, the right-wing candidate Rodrigo Paz won with the backing of vice-presidential candidate Edman Lara - someone Indigenous voters consider one of their own. Tensions emerged immediately: Lara has mobilised supporters demanding expanded powers from the president.

In Peru, Communist Party leader Isaac Humala Núñez founded the Ethnocacerist Movement in 1987 with a straightforward agenda: power to the Indigenous population. His sons later built the Peruvian Nationalist Party on this foundation. One of them, Ollanta Humala became president in 2011. The party collapsed a few years later, but was replaced by a left-wing movement likewise oriented toward Indigenous voters, albeit without explicitly racial slogans. In 2021, its candidate Pedro Castillo - himself indigenous - won the presidency. Electoral maps show that Castillo prevailed in regions dominated by indigenous populations.

Ecuador’s elections have also taken on a racial character. Daniel Noboa won office with support from the Europeanised electorate and now faces protests from indigenous groups, escalating in some cases into armed confrontation.

In Brazil, the Workers’ Party—the main force of the left—does not explicitly foreground racial issues. However, after coming to power in 2003, it expanded affirmative-action policies explicitly aimed at increasing access for Black, Indigenous, and low-income Brazilians. 

The victory of right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro in 2019 was, to some extent, a revolt against these policies. Overlaid electoral and demographic maps tell the story: the “Black” Northeast voted for the left, while the “white” South and Southeast backed the right. The 2022 results show a similar pattern, though the left won that time - political preferences still matter, and Brazi’s divisions are less ethnically-based than, for example, Bolivia.

Colombia’s recent elections reveal a comparable trend. Around 60% of the population belongs to various ethnic groups distinguishing themselves from the “descendants of colonisers”. Left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro made race a visible part of his platform, promising to defend the rights of Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. Turnout in regions where those groups predominate surged, while the traditionally “white” centre of the country once again saw low participation.

Indigenous communities are beginning to step outside the framework of the left and articulate their own demands. Brazilian Indigenous groups staged unrest at a climate summit, opposing the construction of railways, power facilities and oil extraction in the Amazon - projects seen as vital for most Brazilians, but not for Indigenous groups. Similar dynamics are unfolding in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and even Argentina, where Indigenous populations are small minorities, yet still mobilising against development initiatives, sometimes violently, as seen in Chile and Ecuador.

The intensification of racial tensions destabilises Latin American states and obstructs their development. Crucially, these mobilisations rarely benefit indigenous communities themselves, but their leaders- often pursuing personal or group political and financial interests. They use left-wing movements as a façade, stoking conflict and provoking confrontation between “indigenous” and “non-indigenous” Latin Americans.

This opinion piece solely represents the views of the author, who has chosen not to disclose his name to avoid repercussions to his work. Global South World knows and can verify his identity.

Speaking via his X account, Petro argued that failing to explicitly name fossil fuels as the root cause of climate change amounts to hypocrisy. He insisted that human existence is only possible if the world transitions away from oil, coal and natural gas , in line with scientific evidence.

Petro was not alone in his objections. More than 80 countries had pushed for a binding fossil fuel exit roadmap during the COP30 talks but ultimately failed to secure a reference in the final agreement. The president’s climate team has described this as a betrayal of scientific consensus and a missed opportunity for a just energy transition.

Colombia’s acting Minister of Environment, Irene Vélez, threw her support behind Petro’s stance, affirming that the government will not yield on the principles of climate justice and scientific truth. She argued that stronger multilateral action and clearer targets are needed to avoid perpetuating dependency on fossil fuel capital.

Petro’s rebuttal to the COP30 declaration has sparked wider debate in Latin America and around the world about climate ambition. While the summit did result in a non-binding “Global Mutirão” agreement on accelerating climate action, critics like Petro say it lacks teeth, particularly without a roadmap to eliminate the fossil fuels most responsible for climate change.

However, Petro faces growing domestic frustration, with critics arguing he is more focused on international issues — including Palestine, Trump’s policies, and the war in Ukraine — than on Colombia’s priorities, potentially jeopardising the country’s crucial trade relationship with the United States .

His recent suspension of intelligence cooperation with the U.S. over its campaign against alleged drug boats has added to tensions, and as world leaders meet at COP30 in Brazil , questions remain about whether Petro’s global message will resonate.

“Liar Trump and your lying friends, liar Mr Rubio. Those you are killing are not drug traffickers,” Petro declared, referring to US operations in the region. He claimed that the real drug traffickers had long moved into political and financial circles. “The drug traffickers have gone, through their politicians, to the offices in Miami to speak with Mr Rubio’s senators, to ask that they bomb here as well, to ask that they also remove the president of the Republic elected by popular vote, to try to humiliate us,” he said.

According to the Colombian government, Petro also recalled the death of a fisherman killed in a US military strike in the Caribbean last year, rejecting claims that the victim was involved in illegal activities. “No one can say that this fisherman, a poor father of a girl, was a drug trafficker. I oppose that,” he added, denouncing what he described as the human cost of foreign intervention.

The president further linked Washington’s regional actions to wider global power imbalances, warning that “what we are seeing in Gaza will happen in the South, in the continents of working and poor people, in those of us who do not hold world power.” He has been one of the most vocal leaders in Latin America to denounce Israel’s actions in Gaza, having suspended coal exports to the country for humanitarian and moral reasons.

The robotic system she employs allows for millimetric precision, helping patients walk pain-free just 24 hours after surgery. Vélez’s work not only represents a leap in surgical innovation but also breaks gender barriers in a field historically dominated by men.

“Orthopaedics has always been led by men,” Vélez told Viory, “but I’ve led a group of women, and I hope there will be many more of us in Latin America .”

Strategically located in the city of Barranquilla, close to Central America , the Caribbean, and the southern U.S., Vélez sees the city as a growing hub for medical tourism. Her work gives patients access to U.S.-standard robotic care at home or nearby.

Footage from the General Factory Jose Maria Cordova (Fagecor) in Bogota shows workers at the state-owned Military Industry (Indumil) designing and producing rifle prototypes and 3D models. The initiative, which has been in development for roughly five years, follows specifications provided by the Colombian Armed Forces, including barrel lengths, ambidextrous systems, fixed sights, and folding or extendable stocks.

Alejandro Bohorquez, professor of International Relations at Universidad Externado de Colombia, highlighted the symbolic dimension of the move: “In Israel's case, this aligns closely with the current campaign discrediting Israel over its recent actions against the Palestinian population. Clearly, for Israel, the concern—beyond losing a decades-long business—doesn’t go much further. It’s more of a commercial issue. Colombia wasn’t even a main partner in the arms trade with these states. So, it’s more like a symbolic protest over Israel and Palestine’s recent actions.”

Indumil’s Engineering and Development Director, Alfonso Palacios Chavarriaga, explained that the next step involves completing the second design phase and producing ten prototypes, which will be tested to ensure they meet technical standards. The final phase will see mass production, with the rifles intended to fully replace the Galil in service with Colombia’s Armed Forces.

The initiative also reflects Colombia’s broader push for defence autonomy. President Gustavo Petro’s government has recently halted arms purchases from both Israel and the United States , underscoring a commitment to building a self-reliant military and reinforcing national sovereignty in defence procurement.

“I want to thank more than two million people , probably 300,000 citizens, who put their trust in me and gave me this mandate as the new candidate of the Historic Pact for the next stage of this process,” Cepeda said during a press conference in Bogotá on Sunday, October 26.

Looking ahead to the campaign, Cepeda vowed to raise the level of political debate, rejecting the personal attacks that have long characterised Colombian politics . “I will not go to debates to exchange insults with other pre-candidates, nor to threaten or disparage one another,” he declared. “I challenge them to talk about ideas, proposals, and concepts for the country.”

He also urged opponents to maintain respect toward President Gustavo Petro, describing him as “deserving of all the respect in Colombia and in the world for the work he has done as head of state.” Cepeda’s victory consolidates his position as the left’s leading figure ahead of the May 2026 presidential election, where he is expected to campaign on Petro’s progressive legacy while seeking to broaden his appeal beyond the Historic Pact’s traditional base.

The measures, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), block any property or assets owned by Petro, his wife, and his son, Nicolás Petro Burgos, within US jurisdiction. The sanctions also prevent them from conducting any international transactions involving American financial systems.

Tensions between the US and Colombia have been mounting since September, when Washington removed Bogotá from its list of partners cooperating in the fight against drug trafficking.

The US revoked Petro's visa following his appearance at a pro-Palestinian protest in New York during the UN General Assembly that same month.

The Colombian government expressed relief and gratitude for the release, viewing it as a positive step towards improving bilateral relations with Venezuela. President Gustavo Petro hailed the move as a testament to the potential for dialogue and cooperation between the neighbouring countries.

The detainees, who had been held on charges ranging from alleged involvement in armed groups to immigration violations, were transported back to Colombia in a coordinated operation. Upon arrival, they underwent medical evaluations and were reunited with their families.

This development marks a rare instance of cooperation between the two nations, which have experienced strained relations in recent years due to political and ideological differences. The release is seen as a hopeful sign that diplomatic engagement can lead to tangible outcomes, even amidst broader regional tensions.

While the immediate issue of the detainees has been resolved, both governments have indicated a willingness to continue dialogue on other matters of mutual concern, including border security and trade . However, analysts caution that lasting improvements will require sustained efforts and trust-building between the two administrations.

Eighty years later, the UN remains one of the most significant symbols of global unity, with 193 member states spanning every corner of the globe. What began with 51 founding members has grown into a truly universal body, reflecting decades of decolonisation, independence movements, and shifting political landscapes.

When the UN Charter came into force in 1945, membership was dominated by major world powers and a handful of independent nations. But the decades that followed changed everything. Between 1946 and 1959, the organisation expanded steadily as post-war recovery reshaped Europe and Asia.

Then came a wave unlike any before: the 1960s and 1970s brought dozens of new African and Asian nations into the fold as colonial empires dissolved and independence swept across the Global South. According to the United Nations , membership had grown to 99 states by 1960 and surpassed 110 by 1962.

The next major shift occurred in the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Newly sovereign countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Balkans joined the UN, marking the organisation's transition into a nearly complete representation of the world map. By the early 2000s, the UN had 193 member states, a number that remains unchanged today.

This steady expansion tells the story of a changing global order. From the original 51 states gathered in San Francisco to nearly every nation on Earth, UN membership reflects humanity’s ongoing quest for shared dialogue and collective problem-solving.

It also mirrors the rise of newly independent voices that reshaped international priorities, from development and equality to environmental sustainability.

In 2025, as the world marks the UN’s 80th anniversary, questions about its effectiveness and reform have taken centre stage. The recent election of Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia to the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term underscores the continued effort to ensure diverse regional representation

Pressed by a reporter about congressional briefings and whether the U.S. would seek a formal declaration of war , Trump replied that Washington would act without necessarily asking Congress for a declaration. “I think we're just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country… we're gonna kill them, you know, they're gonna be like, dead, okay?” he said.

The president also suggested plans for the United States to take steps against narco-groups operating in the region and defended recent operations that he said had weakened criminal networks. He framed the actions as necessary to protect U.S. communities from the harms of illicit drugs, citing mass deaths tied to synthetic opioids in recent years.

The U.S. Constitution vests war powers in Congress, and international law generally requires that the use of lethal force comply with strict rules on necessity, proportionality and accountability.

“The U.S. federal government does not allow Colombian cannabis to be exported, which could have been a great opportunity to reduce these ‘red zones’,” he said, referring to regions hit hardest by drug-related violence .

Petro contrasted Washington’s stance with the scale of its domestic opioid crisis, saying, “They are essentially supporting a mafia inside the United States that produces fentanyl… consumed within the U.S. with an effect that multiplies by 30 the deaths that cocaine used to cause, reaching 100,000 deaths a year.”

The Colombian leader, who has sought to redefine his country’s relations with the U.S., framed the issue as one of double standards, arguing that the same nations calling for drug reform continue to impose trade barriers that hurt developing economies. “Look at what happens with the ‘green,’ the cannabis product hasn’t been produced for three years; it has been abandoned,” Petro said.

The dispute has broader consequences for U.S.–Latin American relations. The suspension of U.S. subsidies to Colombia's drug-control efforts threatens to destabilise regional cooperation and to strain long-standing partnerships in a region already under pressure from illicit economies and violence .

Analysts note that Petro is seeking to assert Colombia’s sovereignty and challenge what he calls U.S. interventionist postures. His rebuke reflects a shift in Latin America where heads of state are more willing to contest Washington’s influence in foreign and security affairs.

For an international audience, the exchange signals a potential recalibration of the U.S. role in the region. With Colombia taking a more defiant stand, the broader question is how U.S. foreign policy will adapt amid changing power dynamics across the Americas.

The president’s remarks come amid heightened US operations near Venezuelan waters, which have sparked concern in Colombia over the safety of small fishing communities. Petro called on international human rights organisations to investigate.

“We know that two fishermen from Trinidad and Tobago were killed by a missile,” Petro said. “This is a war crime — an act of international aggression against a peace zone, the Caribbean.”

Linking the incident to broader geopolitical violence , Petro compared the situation in the Caribbean to the devastation in Gaza, asserting that “today’s struggles are struggles for life, and they are revolutionary.” He reiterated his government’s decision to suspend coal exports to Israel in protest of what he has called a “genocidal regime.”

Petro concluded his address with an appeal for vigilance among Caribbean governments and human rights defenders, urging them to “monitor and set alerts” against any future acts of foreign aggression, and to protect vulnerable coastal and island communities that remain without effective defence systems.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday, October 11, that authorities had intercepted 2.7 tonnes of cocaine on a speedboat allegedly bound for Costa Rica. “Without killing anyone. Without firing missiles,” Petro wrote on X, claiming five Colombian nationals were captured alive. He described the operation as evidence of Colombia’s ability to combat drug trafficking without resorting to violence .

But Costa Rica’s Minister of Public Security, Mario Zamora, disputed Petro’s version. He said the boat was not heading for Costa Rica, as Petro claimed, and that the seizure was conducted by Costa Rica’s Coast Guard in cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Zamora also corrected the figures, saying 2.37 tonnes of cocaine were confiscated, and that the crew consisted of two Colombians and three Costa Ricans, not five Colombians.

In response, Petro insisted that “nobody is lying,” sharing an official statement from Colombia’s National Police asserting that the cocaine belonged to dissident groups of the FARC. However, the report aligned with Costa Rica’s version regarding the number of detainees, listing three Colombians and two Costa Ricans.

The disagreement unfolds as Colombia questions Washington’s military presence in the Caribbean, which the US says is part of its anti-narcotics strategy. Former Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla urged both nations to restore direct dialogue, recalling a time when bilateral cooperation on security was “excellent.” Minister Zamora, however, was blunt in his response: “We talk to the DEA, not to Petro.”

According to the Presidency of Colombia, Petro also revealed that a Colombian man was among the captives. He emphasised that his government was taking diplomatic steps to ensure their release, declaring: “The only one who is fighting for that Colombian is me.”

Petro’s remarks came amid rising tensions over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and his continued criticism of the Netanyahu government, which he has accused of committing “genocide.” He also condemned US policies in the region, arguing that Washington’s anti-drug and immigration measures harm Latin America rather than promote stability.

The president concluded his address by reading a letter from the wife of Elkana Bohbot, an Israeli-Colombian man held hostage by Hamas, who appealed to him to use his diplomatic influence to help free her husband.

In response, Petro doubled down on his criticism, accusing Donald Trump of being “an accomplice to genocide” in Gaza and declaring that the US president “deserves nothing but prison.” Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and Finance Minister Germán Ávila announced they had voluntarily given up their visas in solidarity with the president, while Mining Minister Edwin Palma and senior adviser Angie Rodríguez confirmed theirs had been cancelled by US authorities.

Petro took to social media to frame the cancellations as a badge of honour, writing: “It fills us with pride not to have the visa of a country whose government supports genocide.” Other cabinet members, including Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, suggested more resignations could follow, noting that his own visa had already been revoked twice in the past.

The fallout comes amid a series of confrontations between Bogotá and Washington. Petro has long clashed with Trump over migration, trade and drug policy, while Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 over the war in Gaza. During Monday’s cabinet meeting, the president announced an end to the free trade agreement with Israel and highlighted plans for Colombia to manufacture its own assault rifles, replacing Israeli imports.

Despite the strain, the US continues to provide Colombia with significant economic and military aid, even after withdrawing its certification as a reliable ally in anti-narcotics efforts earlier this month. With Petro now barred from the United States but holding Italian citizenship, analysts warn that the visa dispute could further complicate already fraught relations between the two countries.

Petro, who has previously confirmed he holds Italian nationality, noted that under the Visa Waiver Programme, he would only require an ESTA authorisation to enter the United States.

The move to revoke his visa came after Petro addressed pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday. He urged US soldiers to defy orders from President Donald Trump , saying they should “obey humanity” instead. The State Department later described his comments as “reckless and incendiary.”

“It is not a crime ,” Petro reiterated on Saturday, “to call on armies not to fire on humanity.”

Despite the escalating row, the Colombian leader said Trump was welcome in his country, though he drew a sharp line: “No war criminal, let alone a criminal against humanity, will be allowed to enter Colombia.”

Petro had travelled to New York to address the UN General Assembly, where he accused Trump of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza. His remarks followed a recent UN investigation which concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians – a finding strongly denied by the Israeli government.

In a post on X, the State Department condemned Petro’s remarks as “reckless and incendiary”, confirming his visa would be cancelled.

During his UN General Assembly address, Petro also accused Trump of being an “accomplice to genocide” in Gaza, following an independent UN investigation that concluded Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians — a claim Israel denies.

Colombian outlet Caracol Radio reported Petro had already departed the U.S. when the announcement was made. His trip comes amid rising tensions with Washington, following disputes over migration, counternarcotics operations, and U.S. military activities in the region.

The US State Department said Colombia had “failed to meet its obligations” in drug control. This marks the first time since 1997 that Colombia has been excluded from the list, which grants eligible countries access to millions of dollars in US aid to combat drug production and trafficking.

The decision comes as a blow to President Gustavo Petro’s government , which has sought to reform the anti-narcotics strategy while balancing tense ties with Washington. For Bogotá, Villavicencio insisted, “decertification is not about performance—it is a political message”.

President Gustavo Petro has denounced recent US airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean as an “act of tyranny,” warning that criminal proceedings could follow if Colombians were among the 17 reported dead. Speaking to the BBC in New York, Petro argued that stopping vessels does not require lethal force and accused Washington of humiliating South Americans. President Donald Trump defended the strikes as necessary to curb fentanyl smuggling, while Democratic lawmakers and UN experts have questioned their legality, calling them possible extrajudicial executions.

US delegation walks out of Petro’s UN speech

The United States delegation left the hall during Petro’s address at the United Nations, where he criticised the Trump administration for decertifying Colombia’s anti-narcotics record and for the Caribbean bombings. The Colombian leader accused Washington of spreading “lies” about drug seizures, stressing that his government extradited over 700 traffickers without resorting to missile strikes. The State Department responded briefly, saying its delegation’s actions “spoke for themselves”.

Peace talks with Clan del Golfo begin in Qatar

Colombia has opened peace negotiations with the Clan del Golfo, a powerful criminal group with roots in paramilitarism. The talks, held in Qatar, focus on disarmament in exchange for judicial benefits. Chief negotiator Álvaro Jiménez said the group’s main income now comes from illegal gold mining and stressed that leaders recognise they are at their “peak” and risk decline. The cartel, with 6,000–7,000 members, has already suffered major setbacks, including the arrest and extradition of former commander “Otoniel” in 2022.

Earthquake shakes Venezuela and Colombia

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck western Venezuela late Wednesday, September 24, rattling Colombian border cities including Cúcuta and Bucaramanga. The Colombian Geological Service confirmed the epicentre was in Mene Grande, Venezuela. No casualties or damages have been reported, and authorities ruled out tsunami risk for the Colombian coast. Residents across both countries reported alarm, though tremors are common in the region due to tectonic activity.

US investment in Colombia declines

Foreign direct investment (FDI) from the United States into Colombia has fallen for the second year in a row, reflecting strained relations and economic uncertainty. Central Bank figures show US investment dropped 15% in the first half of 2025, from US$2.66 billion to US$2.26 billion. While the United States remains Colombia’s top investor, accounting for 34.5% of inflows, the decline forms part of a broader 15.2% fall in total FDI last year, hitting mining, oil, and manufacturing sectors hardest.

Yet, new data shows Brazil might not be as culturally isolated as many believe. According to the Country Similarity Index , which evaluates nations across demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography, several Latin American countries share strikingly similar profiles.

At the top of the list is Colombia, scoring 76.3 out of 100, making it Brazil’s closest match. Venezuela follows with 73.4, and Uruguay comes next at 72.8. Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic all hover just a few points behind, while El Salvador and Panama round out the top ten at 70.6.

The index considers far more than shared language or religion . It measures how nations align in everything from racial diversity to infrastructure development and political systems.

This holistic approach reveals why countries like Colombia and Brazil, despite their different colonial pasts, often feel connected in terms of culture, societal structure, and even geography.

This finding comes at a crucial moment for the region. Latin America is facing shared challenges: migration crises, economic volatility, climate change pressures, and renewed conversations about regional cooperation.

Brazil’s growing role as a diplomatic and economic hub means its closest cultural neighbors are likely to be key partners in addressing these issues. Colombia’s top ranking is especially significant given ongoing collaboration between the two nations on Amazon rainforest protection, cross-border migration policies, and trade.

Beyond politics, cultural exchange remains a powerful driver of unity. Brazilian music , television, and football have wide influence across the region, while Spanish-speaking neighbors continue to shape Brazil’s own art and media scene.

These similarities help foster deeper integration within blocs like Mercosur, where shared social and economic priorities can translate into faster alignment on infrastructure , technology, and climate agreements.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the decision reflects record levels of coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia, as well as what Washington considers failed negotiations with armed groups involved in the drug trade. The State Department added that Colombia could be removed from the list if Petro’s government adopts “aggressive measures” to eradicate coca, curb trafficking, and hold criminal networks accountable.

Petro, in a televised cabinet meeting, criticised the move, saying that Colombia had paid a high price in lives lost among police, soldiers, and civilians trying to stop cocaine from reaching international markets.

The decertification could restrict funding and cooperation in the fight against criminal organisations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN, and dissident factions of the FARC. It also marks a setback in relations between Washington and Bogotá, which have historically maintained close security ties.

This is not the first time Colombia has faced decertification: the last occurred in 1996 and 1997, during the presidency of Ernesto Samper, who was accused of accepting illicit drug money for his campaign.

Relations between Trump and Petro have been strained for months. In July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recalled his chargé d’affaires in Bogotá after what he called “baseless” statements from Colombian officials. Earlier this year, the two leaders clashed over Colombia’s refusal to accept U.S. military deportation flights, prompting Trump to threaten tariffs and sanctions.

Despite the tensions, the United States remains Colombia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $33.8 billion in 2023 under a free trade agreement in force since 2006.

Colombia, the world ’s largest producer of cocaine, has been under growing scrutiny despite expanding aerial and manual eradication efforts. The government has highlighted record levels of coca crop destruction this year, but U.S. officials remain sceptical about long-term progress. A negative ruling could lead to the suspension of roughly $450 million in assistance for security, development, and technical cooperation.

Analysts point to three possible outcomes: full certification, decertification with a waiver that preserves aid, or outright decertification without exceptions. While the first scenario would strengthen Bogotá’s position, the latter two would send a sharp signal of U.S. disapproval and strain cooperation at a time when Washington has linked drug trafficking to regional instability.

Colombian officials insist they are committed to working with the U.S. regardless of the outcome. Admiral Francisco Cubides, head of the Navy, said last week that “renewing certification is an objective we pursue with actions, not words”. But uncertainty remains high as both governments brace for a decision that could redefine one of Washington’s longest-running security partnerships in Latin America .

Authorities believe the miners are buried between 28 and 30 metres deep, but the search has become more difficult as water has begun flooding the tunnel, raising concerns for both those trapped and emergency teams. “Right now, we are still waiting for more help because it’s needed. We need more help, as we don’t know how many metres deep or in which exact area the missing people are located”, said Víctor Alfonso Valencia, coordinator of the Aires de Garrapatero Guard.

The collapse occurred in the early hours of Friday at an open-pit excavation that operates illegally, though local residents highlighted the desperation that drives people to such work. “Whether the mine is illegal or not, people are looking for work – it’s for their family’s livelihood. So don’t talk about it being illegal, because when people are hungry, we’re not going to let ourselves starve. People look for a way to eat, to provide for their families”, said community member and risk guardian Margarita Cayapu Méndez.

With uncertainty over how long the emergency might last and limited medical resources in the area, civil defence officers warned that logistical challenges remain, while families and residents continue urging authorities to deploy more assistance. Illegal gold mining remains a structural issue in Colombia, where government attempts to formalise the sector and eradicate illicit operations have met with only limited success.

Brazil’s Minister of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeira, announced after a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zhu Qingqiao that Brazil is exploring new agricultural partnerships with China. Teixeira said cooperation will focus on boosting family farming and improving rural livelihoods. Analysts see this as part of a wider effort by Brazil to balance domestic agricultural policy with China’s rising demand for diversified food imports. For Brazil, family farming is central to both food security and rural employment, while for China, the arrangement offers diversification in its food imports and a chance to strengthen supply chains with Latin America.

Brazil rejects U.S. military presence in region

Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gustavo Petro issued a joint statement opposing foreign intervention after U.S. warships were deployed off South America’s northern coast. Both leaders stressed sovereignty and non-interference, signalling growing regional pushback against Washington’s military footprint in the hemisphere. The timing of the statement comes amid heightened geopolitical competition, as Washington seeks to strengthen its military footprint in response to perceived threats, while Latin American leaders are increasingly asserting independence from U.S. security policy. Analysts suggest this marks a shift in regional dynamics, with Brazil and Colombia emerging as key voices in pushing back against external influence.

Population crisis

Brazil is approaching a demographic tipping point as its birth rate continues to fall while the population ages rapidly. Economists warn that this shift threatens future economic growth, labour supply, and pension sustainability. With fertility rates already below replacement level, Brazil is confronting challenges that many advanced economies like Japan and Germany are struggling with, but at an earlier stage of its development. Experts caution that without policy reforms, including incentives for families, workforce modernisation, and pension restructuring, the demographic shift could deepen inequality and undermine Brazil’s progress in poverty reduction.

Fake news law

Former President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly held undisclosed talks with Facebook executives about Brazil’s proposed “fake news bill.” Critics argue the meeting reveals how big tech and political leaders collaborated behind closed doors to soften regulations on online misinformation. The revelations add a new layer to Brazil’s debate over digital governance. According to investigative reports, Bolsonaro’s discussions with Facebook highlighted attempts to influence the drafting of the legislation behind closed doors. Critics argue that the secrecy undermines transparency and accountability, while supporters of regulation insist that unchecked disinformation continues to threaten Brazilian democracy. The disclosures could reignite debate over digital governance and the power of big tech in shaping national policy.

New federal police centre

The Brazilian government has launched a Federal Police hub in Manaus aimed at tackling illegal mining, deforestation, and wildlife trafficking. The centre , funded with $6.6 million from the Amazon Fund, will coordinate international cooperation to combat environmental crime networks operating in the rainforest. By bolstering law enforcement presence in the heart of the rainforest, authorities hope to deter illegal activity while sending a signal to both domestic and foreign actors that environmental protection is now a top national priority.

Petro accused Trump of dehumanising migrants by portraying them as criminals and supporting detention centers that he likened to concentration camps.

“We cannot allow Trump to say that migrants are criminals and to build prisons that are actually concentration camps, just a repetition of Hitler,” Petro said. Adding that, “I say to Trump, distance yourself from Hitler. Your grandparents - and those of the entire American people - are buried in Europe, where thousands died to destroy Hitler. How is it possible that their grandchildren now support Hitler’s ideas?”

Petro included Europe in his criticism, arguing that anti-immigration rhetoric across the continent reflects a resurgence of fascist thinking.

“All of Europe’s anti-immigration rhetoric is nothing but fascism. They don’t like Arabs, but the Arabs gave them numbers, the concept of good living, love, and poetry,” he said.

The Colombian leader suggested that Western societies were clinging to selective versions of history while ignoring their reliance on cultural and intellectual contributions from non-European peoples.

Petro urged the creation of a political and economic alliance between Latin America and Africa to promote democracy, human diversity, and renewable energy. He called on regional leaders - including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum - to assert independence from U.S. dominance.

“We propose a global alliance for global democracy, for human diversity, for freedom, and for a new technology grounded in an economy based on new human relationships,” Petro said.

Petro further suggested that the Statue of Liberty could be relocated from New York to Cartagena if Western societies abandoned their commitment to freedom.

“If they really want freedom, let’s bring the Statue of Liberty from New York to Cartagena. If freedom is real, let it be through an M-19-style operation,” he said, referencing the guerrilla group he once belonged to.

The presidential vote comes against the backdrop of a deep economic crisis. Bolivia is facing fuel shortages, rising food prices, and - most of all - a lack of US dollars. This shortage has pushed up the exchange rate and made imports more expensive, from fuel to medicines. Long lines for fuel and protests over food prices have become common.

The opposition blames the ruling MAS (Movement for Socialism), in power for most of the past two decades. Once united and backed by indigenous and working-class voters, the party is now deeply divided. A disputed election followed by the threat of military intervention in 2019 forced charismatic party founder Evo Morales out of the president's office. Wanted on charges of statutory rape, he has split his successor Luis Arce. Morales is calling for supporters to boycott the vote after the courts disqualified him from running owing to constitutional term limits.

That has left two opposition candidates as hot favourites to go to a run off vote.

Recent national polls show a tight race between economic liberals Samuel Doria Medina and Jorge ‘Tuto’ Quiroga. Some of the latest surveys even suggest Quiroga has slightly overtaken Doria Medina, although still within the margin of error. Both promise radical change including a more business friendly administration and intervention from multinational lenders.

Power list Asia

Check out Global South World's power list of the most influential social media journalists in South East Asia . In conjunction with Hypeauditor, Global South World has looked at the reach, engagement and audience quality of 50 journalists on the platform and ranked them here .

Sky high prices

Nepal has just announced it is waiving climbing fees for a number of its lesser-known peaks in the remote northwestern Himalayas for the next 2 years. The list does not include Everest or 25 of the other most popular mountains which tend to attract the vast bulk of visiting climbers, though. Those destinations are struggling with the sheer volume of people and their waste. Instead Nepal wants to draw attention to more than 400 other peaks which offer stunning climbs and varied challenges without the same congestion.

To make its point even more clear, the government will hike the cost of a permit to climb the world's highest mountain from $11,000 to $15,000 in September. Other popular summits will move to $350 from $250.

Acknowledgment but no apology

France's president Emmanuel Macron has accepted his country's responsibility for violent repression during Cameroon’s brutal fight for independence back in the 1950s and ’60s.

He expressed what he called “deep regret” for the violence, but stopped short of a formal apology. However, he acknowledged France’s responsibility in the deaths of independence leaders Ruben Um Nyobè, Paul Momo, Isaac Nyobè Pandjock and Jérémie Ndéléné, who were killed between 1958 and 1960 during military operations conducted under French command.

Macron also pledged to open archives, support historical initiatives, and implement recommendations offered by a joint Franco-Cameroonian commission.

Drugs and politics

In Colombia, the government is talking to the Clan del Golfo, the country's largest drug-trafficking organisation and the biggest cocaine producer in the world .

Under President Gustavo Petro’s “Total Peace ” plan, they’re hoping to negotiate a surrender in exchange for reduced sentences and reintegration programs.

Longer lives

At the turn of the 20th century, the average life expectancy around the world was just 32 years, pulled down disease and infant mortality. Now the figure is almost 71 years for men and more than 76 years for women. While a big divide remains - the lowest life expectancies are in Chad, Lesotho and the Central African Republic - in coming years the average is likely to continue rising. That's because of initiatives in developing countries to tackle easily preventable deaths.

Where have all the elephants gone?

As recently as the 19th century there were 10 million elephants roaming almost the entire length and breadth of Africa. Nowadays there are fewer than half a million now. The damage was initially done by colonial traders eager for ivory. But even once that practice was stopped a loss of habitat continued batter the populations. Today, numbers appear to have stabilised but in many areas their future remains uncertain.

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

The group, which has roots in paramilitary activities, calls itself the Gaitanista Army of Colombia and has more than 7,500 members. It is considered one of the main security challenges for Petro’s left-wing government .

"Today, we are talking about illicit economies. Cocaine, perhaps the largest. And so this must be discussed at the negotiation tables. If it is possible to peace fully dismantle drug trafficking in Colombia so that there can be peace," Petro added.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) World Drug Report 2025 , global cocaine production reached a record 3,708 tons in 2023. Colombia accounted for more than 67% of the world’s coca leaf crops and recorded a 53% increase in cocaine production that year.

“Then he said, ‘no mamita, here we are made to go through hardship, that's why I'm leaving here and going to Ukraine where I'm being given a better opportunity.’ And this better opportunity for my son led him to death,” Omaida said tearfully in an interaction with Viory.

She warned other young Colombians about the dangers of being misled by financial incentives from foreign conflicts. “I would like to tell all young people not to be misled by these supposed benefits that are offered to help their families, because it is a scam, I think. It is a scam because it will make many mothers suffer, just like I am suffering and my whole family too,” she said.

Elder’s uncle, Jose Aurencio Mamian, added, “Let’s not go to that war that is not ours. Let’s not go chasing money. It is true that Colombian families struggle financially, but let’s choose to live here, our own way, even if we suffer. Let’s do it for our mothers, our children . Friends and family suffer for the people who go to another country and give their lives to support them, but they will never enjoy what they earned." 

Adding to the family’s distress, there has been no confirmation of compensation for Elder’s death. “So far, let’s say that regarding compensation, nothing has been said. The family knows there could be compensation, there could be, but we haven't been told directly from over there, ‘look, you have compensation,’” explained his cousin, Kelyn Manquillo.

Could Botswana abandon death penalty to tackle gender-based violence?

President Duma Boko has called for a review of capital punishment’s role in addressing violent crime, especially gender-based violence (GBV), as such crimes continue to rise in Botswana despite decades of its enforcement. Read more here .

Massacre in Benue, relief in reforms: Can new tax laws ease Nigeria's security crisis?

Over 100 people were killed in a June 13, 2025 attack in Yelewata, Benue State, amid ongoing land conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, Amnesty International reports. With over 1,000 deaths since May 2023, violence persists. Meanwhile, President Tinubu's new tax reforms aim to ease the burden on low-income Nigerians by boosting disposable income. Read more here .

U.S. visa cuts on Africa—Is it really about reciprocity?

The U.S. has imposed new visa restrictions on Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, reducing student, tourist, and business visas to single-entry with three-month validity. The State Department cites its Global Reciprocity Realignment—but is reciprocity the real motive? Read more here .

Asia

Over 200 Chinese children poisoned after school used paint in food: summary

Over 200 kindergarten children in Tianshui, China, were hospitalized with lead poisoning after staff used industrial paint pigments to color food. Authorities say 233 of 251 children were affected. The school principal and others are in custody. Some food samples had lead levels over 2,000 times the legal limit. Read more here .

Key events in the Air India crash investigation

A preliminary report on last month’s Air India crash, which killed 260 people, reveals the engines were starved of fuel seconds after takeoff when fuel cutoff switches flipped to “off.” Read more here .

China, Malaysia agree on reciprocal visa-free entry for tourists and business travellers

China and Malaysia will launch a reciprocal visa-free travel deal on July 17, 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit and 90 days within 180 days. It applies to Chinese official and ordinary passport holders and Malaysian ordinary passport holders. Read more here .

Latin America

Adriano Baracho: Covering climate, communities, and change in Brazil

Adriano, a one-man journalist for TV10 in rural São Paulo, has spent a decade covering local stories solo. Originally from the Amazon’s Pará region, he also documents climate change, deforestation, and Indigenous struggles from remote areas often overlooked by the media. Read more here .

Why Colombia is celebrating its independence day in another country

Colombia will celebrate its Independence Day in the Czech Republic for the first time this July 2025, as part of efforts to deepen cultural ties abroad. Organised by the Colombian Embassy and ASOCOLCZ, the event will be held on Saturday, July 19, at Betlémské náměstí in the heart of Prague. Read more here .

Trump intensifies trade war with threat of 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico

President Donald Trump has threatened a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the EU starting August 1, after trade talks stalled. Announced via letters posted on Truth Social, the move escalates tensions with key U.S. partners. Both Mexico and the EU criticised the tariffs as unfair but vowed to keep negotiating. Read more here .

The discovery was made in wells across the Cordillera Oriental and Sinú-San Jacinto basins during a study by the National Hydrocarbons Agency and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

One of the wells, called Macanal-1X, showed the highest hydrogen levels, with a concentration of over 36,000 parts per million just 183 metres below ground.

The government says this natural hydrogen, sometimes called “white hydrogen,” could help reduce Colombia’s reliance on fossil fuels and support its clean energy goals.

The Energy Ministry has already started preparing new rules for exploring and using the resource, including guidelines on land use and community involvement.

Officials believe Colombia could follow in the footsteps of Mali, which is currently the only country with a commercially viable natural hydrogen site.

Experts say that, unlike other types of hydrogen that require production methods and produce emissions, white hydrogen occurs naturally and could offer a cheaper, cleaner energy source if it can be used effectively.