Category: Andes

Colombia Declines to Extradite FARC Guerrilla to US

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday revealed an executive order rejecting the U.S. extradition request for FARC rebel Juan Vicente Carvajal, wanted in New York on drug trafficking charges, […] Read More >

NSA Targeted Venezuela State Oil Company: The Intercept

An internal National Security Agency memo obtained by whistleblower Edward Snowden reveals a spying scheme into Venezuela’s state-owned oil and natural gas company Petróleos de Venezuela, or PdVSA, The Intercept […] Read More >

Colombia Advances LGBT Rights But Some Say It’s Not Enough

The past few weeks have been incredibly important for Colombia’s LGBT community. Last month, the country’s first openly gay candidate for political office was elected mayor in the southern city […] Read More >

US Drug War Ally Colombia Will Legalize Medicinal Marijuana

Top Story — On Thursday, Colombia’s government announced it will legalize the commercial sale of marijuana for medical and scientific use, The Associated Press reported. The upcoming decree by President […] Read More >

Two Nephews of Venezuelan First Lady Extradited to U.S. on Drug Charges

Top Story — Two nephews of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores were arrested on Tuesday in Haiti for their alleged attempt to smuggle 800 kilograms of cocaine into the United […] Read More >

FARC Rebels Reject Plebiscite Proposal to Finalize Colombian Peace Deal

Top Story — Colombian rebel group FARC rejected proposed legislation on Monday that would put a final peace agreement with the government up for popular vote, stalling progress in the peace negotiations […] Read More >

Ecuador Proceeds With Historic Rights Abuse Case Against Former Officers

Top Story — Five former Ecuadorian military officers and an ex-police officer will face charges of human rights abuses as the country’s first-ever trial for crimes against humanity begins today, […] Read More >

Colombia’s ELN Promises Hostage Release, Asks For Catholic Church Role in Peace Talks

Top Story — Colombia’s leftist guerrilla National Liberation Army announced Monday that it will free two soldiers kidnapped following a recent deadly raid, and on the same day appealed to […] Read More >

Colombia Government May Call Cease-Fire in January

Top Story — Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos plans to call a bilateral ceasefire starting on the first day of 2016 if negotiators from the government and the Revolutionary Armed […] Read More >

Podcast: Medellín’s Missing Bodies

– Look for us in the iTunes store. Guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and government forces have disappeared more than 93,000 people during Colombia’s 50 year civil war — more than any […] Read More >