Stories about Colombia from February, 2009
Colombia: Restrictions and Curfew in Medellín
In Medellín, Colombia, Juan David Escobar is critical about the new restrictions for male passengers on motorcycles and a city-wide curfew for bars outside of designated areas [es]. He points out that in spite of what the government has been saying over the past 10 years about the arrival of...
Colombia: Another Illegal Wire Tapping Scandal
The news magazine Semana recently revealed that the "secret police" of Colombia had been illegally wire tapping politicians, journalists, magistrates, intellectuals and even government officials close to President Álvaro Uribe. Even worse, some of these agents allegedly had been “selling to the highest bidder” the information obtained to guerrillas, paramilitaries or drug traffickers. Colombian bloggers react to these revelations.
Colombia: Drawing Attention to the Cause of Minority Groups
Minorities in Colombia, such as indigenous groups, have not been given much importance and Carlos Correa of Palimpsesto [es] suggests that they follow the example of the Cauca indigenous community which marched to Bogotá drawing attention to their cause and promised solutions.
Colombia: The Awá Indigenous Community Caught in the Middle
The ongoing conflict deep within the Colombian jungle between the FARC, ELN and the Colombian Armed Forces often finds people caught in the middle. Authorities are investigating the killing of dozens of members of the Awá indigenous community, and are blaming the FARC guerrillas for the crime. Many say that the Awá have been targeted because of the suspicion that they are acting as informants, something which the government denies. Nevertheless, this indigenous group is now being displaced from their land because of the violence.
Colombia: Three Local Films Make Top 50 List
Three Colombian movies recently made the list of the Top 50 Ibero-American films [es] of all time in a survey sponsored by Noticine writes Jerónimo Rivera.
Colombia: The Latest Hostage Release and Opportunism
With the latest hostage release by the FARC in Colombia, Marsares of equinoXio writes that “opportunism also was present” and that each hostage “sought to be the centre of the attention and, of course, their own personal profits.”
Colombia: The Release of Alan Jara
Bogotá Subterranea [es] is celebrating the release of Alan Jara, a Colombian professor and former governor, who will held captive by the FARC for nearly 8 years.
Colombia: Small Price Difference Between Regular and Premium Gasoline
Carlos of Liberal Colombiano [es] does not understand why there is not much price difference between the regular and premium gasoline in the country.
