Stories from Colombia

Colombian politician Paloma Valencia has denounced a plan to attack her life. The denuncia alleges that 2 billion pesos were paid to facilitate the plot. The incident was reported in southwest Colombia near the Pan-American highway. Senator Paloma Valencia has denounced an alleged assassination plot against her life. The report was discussed on Blu Radio Colombia.

Gustavo Romero, president of the pediatric society in Atlántico, requested faster payments and clarity regarding processes managed by Adreña. Patients expressed concern regarding the possibility of an indefinite strike by medical workers. The request comes amid reports that doctors have not received payments. The request follows reports of unpaid medical staff in the region. One patient reported a family member is hospitalized and awaiting surgery amid these payment concerns. The president of the pediatric society has requested intervention from the Superintendency of Health, the Public Ministry, and human rights organizations. The request aims to guarantee the labor rights of health professionals in the capital of Atlántico. The request comes amid a local temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. The source did not specify the exact nature of the labor rights violations.

The Bogota Council's third commission passed the first debate for Project Agreement 304 of 2026 with 8 votes in favor and 3 against. The proposal offers tax exemptions to attract major football events to the capital. This comes amid reports of rising crime in the city, including increased killings, human trafficking, and kidnappings. The source noted that public perception of security in Bogota is declining.

President Gustavo Petro stated that those claiming a crisis in the Colombian health system are lying. He ordered the new superintendent to revoke the licenses of EPS health providers with the worst performance indicators. The government intends to target the worst-performing entities. President Gustavo Petro ordered the Superintendency of Health to revoke the operating authorizations of underperforming EPS health insurance providers. The specific list of affected entities was not disclosed during the announcement. Javier Segura reported the development during the morning broadcast. Daniel Quintero published a list on X identifying 22 EPS entities with the highest number of complaints, led by Coomeval EPS. Approximately seven million affiliates are affected by the potential loss of authorization for major providers including Sanitas and Sura.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro proposed two hypotheses regarding terrorist attacks in Cauca during a presidential address last night. He suggested investigating whether FARC dissidents are transporting explosives from Ecuador. Petro also claimed the attacks are a plan ordered by a drug trafficking board to favor the far-right and destabilize upcoming elections. Amalian airline has suspended flights to and from two towns in the north and center of the country following the incident. The source noted that two CIA operatives, who were not accredited for security activities in Mexico, died in a car accident last week. The rebels have also seized control of several areas. The suspension follows an attack by Islamist rebels that killed Mali's defense minister over the weekend and resulted in the seizure of several areas. The Ministry of Defense reported the death resulted from a car bomb.

Representatives from approximately 50 countries have been meeting in Santa Maria, Colombia, since Friday. The discussions focus on addressing rising air travel costs and the transition away from coal-based energy. The meeting aims to address how increasing travel expenses are impacting general living costs. Discussions include the impact of rising aviation costs on travel and general living expenses. The meeting focuses on the reality that air travel may no longer be as inexpensive as in the past.

A family of six, consisting of four adults and two children, was kidnapped on the road leading from Girardot to Bogota. The victims were intercepted near the Mondoñedo toll plaza. The group was physically assaulted and held against their will for seven hours, according to the report.

Nidia Hernández, president of the Colfe Car industry association, warned that violence against cargo transport in Colombia has reached a critical level. The reduction in movement is expected to impact national cargo levels. Security and public order issues in southwest Colombia are causing transport operators to refrain from traveling to the Venezuelan and Ecuadorian borders. The report cites specific security concerns in the southwest departments as the primary driver for the decline in border transport. A decree regarding the Centros Potencia program, which involves million-dollar contracts to replace population centers, faces validation in Congress today. The decree's future is uncertain due to potential opposition from Junts and the PNV.

Tigo confirmed the purchase of a 32.5% stake in Colombia Telecomunicaciones (Coltel), which was previously state-owned. The transaction involved 1,108 million shares for 856 million pesos. This acquisition consolidates Tigo's total control over the company.

Julián Torres, executive director of the Cauca Business and Entrepreneurial Council, denounced the state's lack of territorial control in the Cauca region. Torres stated that the absence of control violates lives and productive activities. He said that road surveillance is a constitutional responsibility of the army and police. Juan Pablo Piedraita, president of the Cauca business chamber, reported that a lack of state territorial control is threatening lives and productive activities. The security crisis has led to shortages in several economic sectors, according to Piedraita. Long-haul cargo transporters in Cauca report financial losses due to being unable to travel to the western part of the department and the country. Transport leader Marta Medina stated that drivers are fearful and find it difficult to navigate roads in Cauca, Valle, and Huila.