About: Colombia
Colombia elects former guerrilla Petro as first leftist president
Leftist Gustavo Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, who has vowed profound social and economic change, won Colombia's presidency on Sunday, the first progressive to do so in the country's history.
Left takes first round in Colombian presidential vote
Colombians clamoring for "change" gave a leftist ex-guerrilla a historic lead Sunday (29 May) in a first round of presidential elections that will culminate in a runoff against a populist outsider in June.
Belgium, Netherlands major cocaine hubs: Europol
Belgium and the Netherlands have become major hubs for cocaine trafficking into Europe, overtaking Spain as the primary smuggling route, the EU's policing agency said Tuesday (7 September).
Violence against protesters destabilize the Colombian government
Colombia's foreign minister resigned Thursday (13 May) amid international condemnation of excessive force used by law enforcers against civilians engaged in anti-government protests since 28 April.
Paralysis for Latin America with Argentina lockdown, Rio beach closures
Brazil on Thursday (19 March) announced it was closing land borders and prohibiting entry to people from European and many Pacific Asian countries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as Mexico and Peru reported their first virus deaths.
EU to help fund Colombia peace process for additional four years
The European Union said on Thursday (24 October) it would extend for four years funding to support implementation of Colombia's peace accord with former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels, including an initial contribution of 33.5 million euros.
Commission takes Colombia to WTO over ‘French fries’ dispute
The European Commission announced on Monday (14 October) that it will challenge at the World Trade Organisation the tariffs imposed by Colombia on frozen French fries, which the EU executive sees as “completely unjustified”.
Northern Ireland peace pays dividends in Bogota, Bougainville and Beirut
At a time when the Brexit divorce deal hangs on a magic formula not to harm the Good Friday Agreement, Julian Oliver reminds that Northern Ireland peace served as a model in other parts of the world.
Ecuador to rally banana exporters to fight hard discounter Aldi
Ecuador, the world's largest banana exporter, is urging Latin American producers to fight German hard discounter supermarket chain Aldi's bid to pay one euro less per case in 2019.
Peru-EU trade deal provides boost to ‘superfood’ producers, other SMEs
Producers of Peru's "superfoods," native and highly nutritious products such as quinoa, Hass avocados and blueberries, have emerged as big winners in the first five years of the Andean nation's free-trade agreement with the European Union.
EU, Brazil propose farm subsidies overhaul to help developing countries
The European Union and Brazil yesterday (17 July) proposed to the World Trade Organization a reform of farm subsidies in order to "level the playing field" for emerging economies, an EU statement said.
MEPs boost protection for banana growers as Ecuador joins FTA
The European Parliament last Thursday (2 February) approved measures to protect European banana producers against increasing competition from imports from Ecuador; a result of the country’s accession to the EU’s trade deal with Colombia and Peru. Euractiv Spain reports.
Colombia peace process: EU prioritises rehabilitation of child soldiers
Lasting peace is nearly within striking distance in Colombia. But now the question about what to do with the former child soldiers of the FARC guerilla group has been raised. The EU thinks it should be a priority. Euractiv Spain reports.
EU earmarks €4 million investment for Colombian energy projects
The European Union is set to invest €4 million in Colombia to promote "unconventional" renewable energy projects after taking stock of a study carried out by the Development Bank of Central America (CAF). EURACTIV Spain reports.
A turning point for EU relations with Latin America
Europe must strengthen its ties with Latin America to promote democracy, social progress and equality in the age of globalisation, write Ramón Jáuregui and Carlos Zorrinho.
Protected forests in Europe felled to meet EU renewable targets – report
Protected forests are being indiscriminately felled across Europe to meet the EU’s renewable energy targets, according to an investigation by the conservation group Birdlife.
EU agrees to compulsory checks on conflict mineral imports
After lengthy negotiations, the European institutions have agreed to establish compulsory checks on the supply chain of conflict minerals from 2021. EURACTIV France reports.
Ecuadorian VP: EU trade deal ‘is unlike other agreements’
Ecuadorian Vice-President Jorge Glas told EURACTIV Spain that the trade agreement recently signed with the EU will generate plenty of opportunities and underpin the changes his country has been working toward in recent years. On 11 November, Ecuador joined a...
Columbian president: Thankful for ‘heaven-sent’ Nobel Prize, hopeful of new FARC peace deal
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hopes that a new peace deal with the FARC guerrilla group could be possible by the end of November and did not dismiss the possibility of organising another referendum, in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV’s partner EFE.
Congratulations in order for Nobel Peace Prize winner, Colombia’s Santos
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize today (7 October) for his efforts to end a 52-year-old war with Marxist rebels, a surprise choice and a show of support after Colombians rejected a peace accord last Sunday (2 October).
EU suspends Colombia fund after shock vote
The European Union announced Wednesday (5 October) it would suspend a development fund earmarked for Colombia, following a referendum in which voters rejected a peace deal with the FARC rebel group.
Colombia peace deal in tatters, EU stance on FARC group unclear
Colombia is struggling to save a peace deal that stumbled at the last hurdle, when the country’s citizens voted to reject an agreement that would have put an end to decades of conflict.
EU open to removing FARC from terrorist blacklist
The European Union could remove Colombian guerilla movement FARC from its list of known terrorists, pending the signing of the peace agreement between the group and the country's government. EURACTIV Spain reports.