Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez
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I am a Colombian digital journalist. I usually write for equinoXio digital magazine and used to carry The Colombia Herald, “one of the best examples of a “bridge blog”" David Sasaki “has ever seen” ;) Currently I'm trying to make some room on my busy schedule for Global Voices and for the recently started equinoXio english edition.
Latest posts by Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez
19 September 2008
Colombia: Conflict Continues Between Uribe and Supreme Court
The ongoing conflict between Colombian president Álvaro Uribe and the Supreme Court continues with new twists, including some leaked information regarding a meeting at the Presidential residence. Colombian bloggers take sides and wonder whether the conflict is an attempt to discredit other branches of government.
4 July 2008
Colombia: Íngrid Betancourt and Other Hostages Rescued
Colombian bloggers praise the government for the military operation that rescued 15 hostages held by the FARC, all without a single shot being fired. This has proven to be yet another blow to the guerrilla group. Others analyze the media coverage provided to the event saying that Betancourt's rescue overshadowed the other 14 hostages.
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30 May 2008
Colombia: FARC Leader “Sureshot” is Confirmed Dead
After countless false claims of the death of the FARC's top leader Manuel Marulanda Vélez aka "Sureshot," the Colombian government confirmed that he passed away in March of natural causes. Colombian bloggers were quick to react and provide their thoughts on what this means for the future of the guerrilla group, the future presidential elections, and Sureshot's legacy.
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28 May 2008
Colombia: FARC Laptops Reveal Ties to Politicians and Foreign Governments
The laptops found in the FARC guerrilla camps were sent to Interpol for independent analysis. The findings, which were leaked to the press, reveal some disturbing ties to foreign governments and some Colombian politicians. However, some Colombian bloggers think that the leaked information has become too political in nature and that one should not necessarily jump to conclusions based on the leaked information.
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26 May 2008
Colombia: Paramilitary Leaders Extradited to the United States
In Colombia, 14 demobilized paramilitary bosses were recently extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. Bloggers in Colombia discuss how this might affect the current political situation in the country and how much the jailed individuals might reveal now that they have very little incentive to keep silent.
10 April 2008
Colombia: 60th Anniversary of the Murder of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán
Many Colombians believe that if charismatic Colombian Liberal Party leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán had not been shot and killed on April 9, 1948, he would have become President of Colombia in 1950, and maybe the fate of this troubled South American country would have been quite different. Colombian bloggers remember the man and observe some of the commemorative events in the capital, Bogotá.
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21 March 2008
Colombia: Reward for FARC Guerrilla for Killing His Commander
Shortly after the death of FARC leader Raúl Reyes, it was revealed that another high ranking member of the guerrilla forces, Iván Ríos was also killed. It was assumed that the Colombian army also was responsible, but Ríos' bodyguard carried out the killing and sought to claim the reward promised by the government. Colombian bloggers present arguments for and against these rewards. Some are pleased that another criminal has been eliminated, while others think that this reward should only serve for tip-offs and that any criminal should be tried in court.
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14 February 2008
5 November 2007
Colombia: Local Elections and Uribe's Influence
Colombia recently held local elections, which were marked by campaign violence. They were also characterized by the influence by current president Álvaro Uribe, who still enjoys considerable popularity around the country. However, Colombian bloggers select their winners and losers beyond the vote counts.
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16 October 2007
Colombia: Uribe vs. Supreme Court
Colombian President Álvaro Uribe is facing an investigation by the country's Supreme Court following accusations that he ordered the killing of a paramilitary warlord sparking a controversy between the head of state and the top judicial court. Colombian bloggers react to public opinions and the way that Uribe is publicly handling the allegations. The Colombian media is the target of attention from the blogosphere.
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==> As Africans we need to let go of our victimhood, inferiority complex & acceptance...