Stories from Colombia

Interior Minister Armando Veneda stated that the dissident leader known as 'Buche Tula' does not exist. Veneda clarified that neither the individual nor a 'Front 42' associated with him exists in government databases. The minister's comments follow conflicting reports from other government officials regarding the investigation into the figure. The broadcaster noted that the minister's claims appear to contradict previous information and may involve inconsistencies with recent directives issued by President Gustavo Petro. The situation follows recent internal friction within the Nariño presidential house. The Colombian Ministry of the Interior issued a response regarding a leadership dispute involving General Urrego. Officials clarified they have no evidence of criminal behavior by General Urrego.

President Petro allegedly issued a mining title for a site currently being exploited illegally within a military battalion in Caucasia, Antioquia.

The New York Times investigative unit reported that President Gustavo Petro delivered the mining title for a gold mine being illegally exploited within a battalion in Andalucía. This follows a previous report revealing the existence of the illegal mine.

The Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences responded to a request from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection regarding the clinical history and autopsy report of a minor named Kevin Arley Acosta Pico.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has updated the figure for extrajudicial executions, also referred to as false positives. The investigation now covers a broader timeframe than previously assumed, extending beyond the administration of former President Álvaro Uribe. The updated data indicates that these extrajudicial executions occurred both before and after the Uribe administration. The head of the JEP is currently reviewing the expanded scope of these findings. The agency reported finding 7,837 cases between 1990 and 2016. The expansion includes more regions where previous investigations were insufficient. The increase in reported cases is attributed to the broader scope of current inquiries. Magistrate Alejandro Rameli explained the reasons for this increase. The report was presented by Cristina Navarro.

Presidential candidate Sondra Macolines has called for a citizen debate in Bogota's Plaza de Bolívar. The comments suggest a escalation in political rhetoric against the current administration. A critic stated that the government of Gustavo Petro is actually a criminal band with the president acting as its leader. The individual claimed that the groups present are not guerrillas but armed drug trafficking groups. The statement was made regarding the current administration's coalition. No specific details on the identity of the critic were provided in the transcript. Presidential candidate Antonio Sanguino described the government of Gustavo Petro as a criminal band and a mafia. Santa Marta is hosting the first global summit for the end of fossil fuels. He alleged that the President of the Republic acts as the leader of this criminal organization.

Anant Ambani, son of an Indian billionaire, has proposed a plan to manage the hippos brought to Colombia by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. The animals are currently facing potential euthanasia due to damage caused to local river ecosystems. Ambani has offered to take responsibility for their care through a scientifically-based plan, according to the report. Billionaire Anant Ambani is offering to relocate a herd of 80 hippos currently facing slaughter in Colombia. The animals were originally brought to the country by a drug lord in the 1980s. A planned culling aims to protect local waterways and marshy flora from the animals' impact. Ambani intends to house the herd at his 3,500-acre private wildlife park in western India.

A court issued an express precautionary measure to suspend the transfer of pension savings for approximately 120,000 workers who opted for Colpensiones. The Council is expected to issue a formal ruling on the matter within fifteen days. The challenged decree reportedly does not align with the reform and was issued without proper procedure. The Council ruled that the decree created a new norm rather than just substituting an existing condition. The decision represents a setback for the current administration's financial plans. The decree intended to use 25 trillion pesos in public savings to fund the campaign of candidate Iván Cepeda. Citizens filed lawsuits to block the immediate transfer of these funds from private accounts. Candidate de la Espriella supported the decision via his X account, stating the Council is acting correctly.

Polls indicate peace candidate Sapeira is running neck and neck with right-wing rivals in Colombia. Sapeira is unlikely to secure more than half the votes required for an outright victory in the first round. A runoff election is expected in June. The report was filed from Funza, Colombia. Five major contenders are competing in the Colombian presidential race. The political landscape has shifted between peace talks and military offensives over recent decades. Candidate Sapeyda is promising more peace talks during the presidential race in Colombia.

Criminal groups have grown from 15,000 to approximately 22,000 armed fighters during the Petro administration, according to a government report. Sepeta is promising more peace talks if he wins the presidency. The report indicates a increase in armed combatants under the current administration. Bogota political analyst Sandra Borda described the administration as naive and disorganized, stating they lack a plan. Borda noted that the government's approach has primarily been to express a desire to talk to these groups. Political analyst Sandra Borda stated that the administration lacks a coherent military strategy and has focused on dialogue instead. The report comes as candidate Sapehta promises further peace talks if elected. Adam Isaacson of the Washington office noted that President Petro has offered no coherent military strategy to confront criminal groups.