Latest from Colombia

The Colombian peso began stumbling hours before the anticipated Wall Street sell-off, which many analysts dubbed a new “Black Monday.” While U.S. stocks pared early losses by the afternoon, the broader sell-off, coupled with another sharp drop in oil prices, triggered renewed volatility across emerging markets – and Colombia was no exception.

What appeared to be the perfect photo-op for President Petro and the culmination of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s first visit to Colombia can now be summarized – to use Noem’s words – as “contentious.” Noem’s comments were given during a U.S. media interview with NEWSMAX and have reached the highest political circles within the Petro government.

Despite the turbulent global economy, and modest growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide, Bogotá has emerged as one of Latin America’s most dynamic and resilient investment destinations. In 2024, the Bogotá Region registered 105 new and expansion FDI projects, an 11.7% increase compared to 2023. These initiatives generated an estimated US$2.4 billion in capital inflows, and are projected to create over 12,000 jobs, according to Invest in Bogotá, the city’s investment promotion agency.

Colombia has announced plans to purchase between 16 and 24 Saab Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, marking a important step in modernizing the country’s aging combat fleet. The decision was confirmed by the commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force, General Carlos Fernando Silva, who stated that the new aircraft would replace the Israeli-made Kfir jets that have been in service since the late 1980s.

Bogotá, and much of Colombia, are set to experience extended and intensified rainfall in the coming months, as the first major rainy season of the year shows no sign of easing. The Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) has forecast that the heavy rains, which began in mid-March, will persist until at least mid-June, affecting large parts of the Andean and Caribbean regions.

Carlos Lehder, one of the founding members of the Medellín Cartel, and a key figure in the history of cocaine trafficking, was arrested by Colombian authorities upon his arrival from Germany last Friday.

Bogotá’s LT Projects, the experimental space of the New York-based León Tovar Gallery, presents a captivating exhibition by Juliana Ríos Martínez, an artist whose work intertwines memory, nature, and identity. Titled “Encuentros y Nuevos Caminos” (Encounters and New Paths) Riós presents pieces from her 15-year artistic career and most acclaimed series, including ‘La cosecha’, ‘Paisajes conocidos’, ‘lugares lejanos’, and ‘Peregrinaciones’.

Colombia’s energy agenda is facing a major obstacle following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that his administration would impose a 25% tariff on any country purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas.

Andrea Agudelo is no stranger to creative reinvention. The Medellín-based designer, author, and entrepreneur first made waves in 2015 with her bestselling book Mandalas for the Soul, a work that seamlessly blended illustration with mindfulness. Now, she turns her attention to fashion with SER, a hat brand that fuses craftsmanship, art, and personal expression into a vision of wearable identity.

In two separate maritime incidents this month, 75 foreign tourists have been rescued from the choppy waters off the Barú Peninsula, approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Cartagena, Colombia.