Stories from Colombia

FENALCO President Jaime Alberto Cavall stated that full business development in Venezuela is not yet permitted. Cavall noted high expectations for eventual market reactivation but warned the process will be slow due to the deterioration of Venezuela's productive apparatus.

Authorities in Gigante, Huila, are preparing for atypical elections scheduled for June 7 following the death of the municipality's mayor. Liliana Vázquez, the departmental government secretary, stated that preparations are underway to ensure a normal voting day.

Authorities reported disturbances and public order issues on Avenida Caracas and Calle 76 in northeast Bogota. The incident occurred during the evening hours. Local officials are assessing the situation.

Authorities in Colombia announced the implementation of new strategies to improve institutional responses to sexual violence. The announcement included the designation of an exclusive prosecutor to handle these cases.

Two people, a married couple, were murdered in a rural area of the El Rosario municipality, according to Colonel Jorge Andrés Mendoza, subcommander of the Nariño police department. The killings left a minor orphaned.

Colombian authorities arrested several individuals identified by the aliases Media Vaca, Cucalinda, El Mico, G.T. Tarro, and Voto Ratón. Media Vaca is alleged to be the group's financial leader. The suspects were sent to prison at 10:20 PM.

Cerro Matoso reported risks of structural damage to its furnaces following an event on April 28. Estimated costs for repairing these failures could reach 550 billion pesos. The company indicated that daily production could drop by approximately 95 tons.

Meteorologist Lady Rodríguez of Corpo Guajira reported an evolving alert regarding increased winds and waves in the Caribbean Sea. The conditions could reach orange category status. Cerro Matoso warned that the weather may impact its operations.

A Colombian minister has requested international community support and domestic societal rejection following the kidnapping of CTI agents from the Prosecutor's Office. The minister called for swift action to ensure the release of the abducted agents.

Three people were killed with knives and firearms in a rural area of the Yotoco municipality in Valle del Cauca. The victims were located on an occupied property belonging to the state.