Stories from Colombia

Tomás Uribe Moreno, son of former President Álvaro Uribe, has accused presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of hiring digital influencers to attack political opponents. Uribe claims a campaign executive confirmed that these influencers use X (formerly Twitter) to target opposition figures. The allegations suggest a coordinated effort to manipulate public perception through social media. No official response from the De la Espriella campaign was provided in the report.

A Colombian entrepreneur named Tata launched Simplifica, a technology-based business aimed at improving the social impact on workers' lives. The company addresses issues faced by domestic workers, who often cannot take vacations. Simplifica seeks to provide a profitable and growing business solution that also resolves national problems. A lawsuit has been filed against D'Anghi Rodríguez with the Ministry of Labor in Colombia.

The National Infrastructure Agency defended the Cartagena airport expansion project following recent scrutiny from oversight bodies. The agency stated that administrative errors identified by the Comptroller General have been corrected. These corrections did not compromise the financial reality or viability of the construction work. The agency characterized the previous issues as tactical errors regarding regulatory observations.

The death toll from a bus bombing in southwest Colombia has increased to 20 people. The explosion occurred on a road in the Cauca region of southwest Colombia. Witnesses reported that an improvised explosive device was used in the attack. This incident occurs during a period of increased violence ahead of the upcoming presidential election. A funeral was held for 13 of the 20 victims of a bomb attack on a bus in southwestern Colombia. Authorities attributed the attack to Ivan Mordisco, the country's most wanted criminal. One witness, identified as Hernán, stated he was approximately 60 meters away from the site of the explosion at the time of the incident. The witness noted he was positioned in the fifth row while a colleague was in the fourth row near the blast. The witness clarified that his own vehicle was not thrown into the air.

Medellín, Colombia, is hosting a film festival organized by InDrive, highlighting the country's role in Latin American cinema. The festival aims to showcase Colombian talent and stories, transforming the city into an audiovisual hub. This event marks the first time the festival is held in Latin America, with previous editions in Kazakhstan and Indonesia.

Transport terminals in Pasto and Ipiales have suspended vehicle departures to Cali following an explosive attack that killed 19 people. The sector of Cajibío may be habilitated later this afternoon following recent attacks. Local trade and transport terminals remain affected by the security situation. Transport companies in Nariño are awaiting official instructions to resume operations following recent attacks. Business groups in Valle del Cauca are demanding the militarization of the Pan-American Highway to ensure security. Productive sectors in southwest Colombia are demanding the national government implement urgent security measures, specifically the militarization of the Pan-American Highway. These groups claim constant attacks are severely impacting mobility, commerce, and business competitiveness.

President Gustavo Petro has ordered an intensification of military and police actions against dissident groups associated with the alias Marlon. The offensive targets groups associated with alias Iwan Mordisco in the Valle and Cali regions. Authorities are strengthening military actions and tracking the group's finances through the Financial Information and Analysis Unit. The Colombian government is offering a 5 billion peso reward for information leading to his capture.

The Pacto Historico political movement issued a statement rejecting recent acts of violence occurring within Colombia. The Defensoría del Pueblo had previously issued an early warning in 2025 regarding the risk of illegal armed groups in the Toro municipality. Attackers arrived at the scene on a motorcycle and fired indiscriminately. Senator Paloma Valencia and presidential candidate Sergio Fajardo issued criticisms of President Petro following violence in the Cauca department. Fajardo noted that families in Cauca are mourning deaths while the President celebrated his birthday. Journalist Vicky Davi also called for the President to be present in the attack zones. Political leaders are demanding resources be redirected toward public service transfers. Delegations called on those responsible for these acts to exclude civilians from any armed confrontation.

The Colombian Army, in conjunction with police, destroyed illegal mining equipment in San Luis, Antioquia. The operation resulted in the destruction of two excavators, one classifier, three engines, and two explosive devices. The economic impact of this destruction is estimated at approximately 1.2 billion Colombian pesos. This action is part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit mining operations in the country. The Clan Del Golfo criminal organization is reportedly controlling illegal mining territories adjacent to a Colombian military battalion. The investigation highlights the presence of a large and visible mine located near the Rifles Battalion. The source noted the situation is difficult to explain given the army's mandate to fight illegal mining. No specific location within Colombia was provided beyond the proximity to the battalion.

The Colombian Ministry of Agriculture has begun purchasing surplus eggs from small producers in Cundinamarca to mitigate losses and address food insecurity. The first phase of this initiative involves distributing over 320,000 eggs to 5,376 families in Ciudad Bolívar, Bogotá. This operation is being coordinated with the Department for Social Prosperity.