Stories from Colombia

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has recognized Ricardo Palmera, known as alias Simón Trinidad, as a victim in Case 06. This follows the genocide of the Unión Patriótica party, which resulted in the deaths of 5,380 unarmed militants. The killings were attributed to an alliance between far-right military elements and drug traffickers. According to the court order, Palmera demonstrated he suffered political persecution, threats, and displacement due to his militancy in the Unión Patriótica. He now has the option to provide testimony, present evidence, and demand rights to truth, justice, and reparation. The agency attributed the previous error to human mistake. A request submitted by Trinidad in December 2025 is still under evaluation. To date, the Truth Recognition Chamber has accredited 789 individual victims and five collective groups.

Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Londoño addressed investigations regarding the assassination of his son, Miguel Uribe. The candidate noted that his son faced extraordinary security risks. The discussion included details regarding a national protection resolution and the Miguel Uribe Empresarial del Valle committee. Miguel Uribe Londoño rejected and denied recent statements from the UNP suggesting he was responsible for his son's death by allegedly dividing his assigned security detail. Uribe stated that despite his son's case being classified under the highest protection category, an insufficient security scheme was assigned. He noted this reveals contradictions in the entity's public claims. Ombudsman Iris Marin stated that the military response is insufficient for the violent escalation in the department.

The Colombian national government stated that the tariff crisis between the United States and Canada could benefit Colombia by opening new business opportunities.

Officials from the Ministry of the Interior are being held at the entity's facilities by members of the MISAC indigenous community. Protesters cited various unfulfilled national commitments as the reason for the action. The group reportedly used children as shields against the presence of the Director of the ICBF, Azit Kaceres. Indigenous demonstrators used children as human shields during protests at four offices of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF). ICBF Director Azit Káseres described the act as a crime and one of the worst ways adults can utilize children. President Gustavo Petro called the incident inadmissible. A formal criminal complaint has been filed regarding the incident. The session included various sectors and opposition members, such as the Centro Democrático party.

A taxi driver was repeatedly struck in the head and face during a dispute at a bus transit site. Witnesses reported that another driver from the integrated transport system joined the assault, using a baton and fire extinguishers.

The Alianza Verde party has formally joined the presidential campaign of Ivan Cepeda. The adhesion was formalized at a location on Avenida 68. The programmatic agreement focuses on environmental defense, animal rights, and the protection of public resources. During his speech, Cepeda extended an olive branch to business leaders. Murillo highlighted the achievements of Gustavo Petro's government during the announcement. He stated his adhesion to the Alianza por la Vida aims to generate confidence among business leaders, the opposition, Congress, and institutions regarding a potential Cepeda administration.

Nueva EPS announced an extraordinary meeting scheduled for this afternoon to discuss payment solutions for a cancer institute. The institute is currently not accepting new adult patients but will continue providing oncological emergency services and care for children and youth. The meeting aims to ensure the institute receives necessary payments to maintain service levels for the Nueva EPS community. Nueva EPS suspended the admission of new cancer patients at the Instituto Cancerológico Nacional this morning. The suspension follows debts exceeding 146 billion pesos and the absence of a current valid contract. The entity confirmed it will only continue treating minors and will not admit patients in emergency cases. The decision follows concerns regarding the INS and the entity's financial obligations. The decision aims to prevent the suspension of medical services for hundreds of users.

A former commander of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) South Front, known as alias Nico, stated that thousands of hectares of land in Bajo Cauca were intended for victim reparations. The source noted that Cenapico identified the discrepancy.

The company Urba has suspended garbage collection services in Popayán. A garbage collection vehicle was burned on the road leading to the Cauca capital's landfill. The company stated that protecting the integrity and lives of its workers is a priority.

A report indicates that 65 percent of administrative career vacancies in regional areas are being filled through political favors.