Stories from Colombia

A judicial decision in Itagüé addressed the Papiros toll booth located on the road between Barranquilla and Puerto Colombia. The tribunal of administrative litigation did not order the removal of the toll booth following a public action filed by the Procuraduría.

The Supreme Court is investigating former government ministers Ricardo Bonilla and Luis Fernando Velasco. The source noted that the individuals are aware of the public funds lost in the unit. The prosecutor's office has formally accused former Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla and former Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco of corruption. The charges involve a scheme connecting public contracts to the disbursement of risk management funds. These funds were allegedly used to benefit congressmen to secure support for government projects. Contracts were reportedly directed through entities such as Invías and risk management agencies. This development follows an expansion of the investigation scope, which has seen the 'false positive' case count reach 7,000. The investigation focuses on alleged contract steering to benefit members of Congress.

A technical tie exists between presidential candidates Iván Zepeda and Abelardo de la Presa according to recent polling data. The source stated that expecting a current poll to predict a second round is like asking for pears from an elm tree. Current polling in Colombia is considered an insufficient tool for predicting second-round election outcomes. A Guarumo poll indicates that 60% of respondents in Colombia have already decided on their vote and will not change it. Only 7% of those surveyed stated they might change their vote. The results suggest that March consultations may function similarly to a first-round election. Approximately 7% of respondents are currently undecided between two specific candidates. Another 22% of voters are reportedly undecided regarding which candidate to support. An additional 7% of respondents say they have a preference but could still change their minds.

The Procuraduría General de la Nación has opened a disciplinary investigation against Humanidad Munera and Jorge Iván Ospina. The probe focuses on alleged irregularities regarding the intervention of Nueva EPS.

The Procuraduría General de la Nación has opened a disciplinary investigation into Humildad Múnera and Jorge Iván Ospina. Officials are looking into the possible overextension of functions and lack of oversight. The probe was announced in Bogota. The Procuraduría General de la Nación ordered a disciplinary investigation against Luz María Munera Medina and Jorge Iván Espina. The decision was announced on Friday morning. The investigation concerns events originating on April 10, 2020, regarding the former superintendent's role. The case also involves Jorge Iván Nospina, the former mayor of Cali, who was recently designated as an interventor for the entity. The probe follows a complaint filed by the delegated superintendency for health insurance entities. The Procuraduría has referred findings from a preventive surveillance area to its instruction chamber for investigation.

Teachers, community leaders, and local authorities coordinated the evacuation of students and the general community in Manaure. Several people and students were affected by bee stings during the incident. Those affected were sent to local healthcare centers.

The National Electoral Council reported that over 1 million electoral witnesses were nominated for the March 8 congressional elections in Colombia and abroad. Additionally, more than 10,000 system auditors were appointed to oversee the process.

Colombian army troops from the 4th Brigade's 4th Field Artillery Battalion engaged members of the Clan del Golfo in the Las Auras district of Briceño, Antioquia. The confrontation resulted in the reported killing of one alleged criminal. Military forces seized a 7.62 caliber machine gun, a 9mm pistol, over 300 cartridges, and 7,725 grenades, according to General Carlos Eduardo Caicedo. The incident occurred in the northern region of Antioquia. Soldiers from the Fourth Brigade's Fourth Field Artillery Battalion engaged in combat with alleged members of the Gulf Clan in the Corregimiento of Las Auras. General William Caicedo, commander of the Fourth Brigade, stated the criminal group has been causing fear among the civilian population.

An emergency occurred in the Chiruria indigenous community in the rural area of Manaure, La Guajira. Teachers, community leaders, and authorities coordinated the evacuation of students and the general community following the incident.

An initiative to expand Bogotá's Metro Line One has been formally presented. The project aims to integrate with the stations at Tres Mil Años via the existing highway. The expansion aims to increase connectivity near El Dorado Airport. Colonel Andrés Felipe Otero, director of navigation operations, noted that detection systems for potential threats are functioning correctly. The exact operator of a recent drone incident remains unknown, though authorities are assessing infrastructure threats. The announcement was made by Juan Andrés Beltrán. The unveiled designs include Station 85 at Calle 85 and V-Ray, Station 18 at Calle 92 with a connection to the northern registrar, and Station 19 at Calle 102 with connections to the highway and the 68 trunk line. Jim Pink Tank, the investment director for America at China Harbour, is involved in the project.