Bogota

people in line

Thousands of passengers are stranded after Colombia’s Viva Air grounds flights 

​​​​​​​Thousands of passengers were stranded in airports in Colombia and several other Latin American countries this week following the collapse of the budget airline, Viva Air. It's the latest airline company to fold amid decreasing passenger demand and higher oil prices. 

Thousands of passengers are stranded after Colombia’s Viva Air grounds flights 
people around a table

Colombia’s govt launches peace talks with the nation’s largest-remaining rebel group

Colombia’s govt launches peace talks with the nation’s largest-remaining rebel group
At a job fair in Bogotá, psychologist Nicolas Londoño showed groups of young men how to change a baby's diapers.  Londoño works with Care School for Men, an educational program funded by the city government. 

‘We can all learn to care’: Colombia’s capital city wants men to do more chores at home

‘We can all learn to care’: Colombia’s capital city wants men to do more chores at home
man with albums

Colombia’s Meridian Brothers breathe new life into salsa music with the help of a traditional record label 

Colombia’s Meridian Brothers breathe new life into salsa music with the help of a traditional record label 
Bulletproof gear made by the MC Armor company in Colombia, ready to be shipped to Ukraine.

Body armor factories in the Americas are sending gear to war-torn Ukraine

Body armor factories in the Americas are sending gear to war-torn Ukraine
Monsieur Perine's first album, "Hecho a Mano" was published in 2012. Since then the band has produced two more albums. 

TikTok fame allows Colombian band Monsieur Periné to do its own thing

Interest in the Colombian indie-pop band Monsieur Periné skyrocketed after one of its songs from 2015 went viral on TikTok. A video on the platform inspired thousands of TikTok users to record themselves at home dancing to the chorus of “Nuestra Canción.”

TikTok fame allows Colombian band Monsieur Periné to do its own thing
Hippos float in the lagoon at Hacienda Napoles Park,

Colombia to declare hippos an invasive species

With nice warm weather and no predators, the hippos have flourished. But they're seen as a threat to people and the environment.

Colombia to declare hippos an invasive species
At the La Perseverancia market in Bogotá, Colombia customers have noticed that prices for many foods are increasing. With the war in Ukraine, inflation could get worse.

For developing countries, the war in Ukraine means even higher food prices

African and Latin American countries have been struggling to control inflation rates during the pandemic. The war in Ukraine threatens to increase food prices even more and make hunger in some countries worse. 

For developing countries, the war in Ukraine means even higher food prices
An "Encanto" billboard stands at a movie theater in Bogotá, Colombia.

Disney’s ‘Encanto’ depicts Colombia as a magical place full of possibilities — a welcome change for local audiences

Over 1.6 million tickets were sold during its first week in Colombian movie theaters — a record for animated films in the country. The government plans to use the film to change the narrative about Colombia abroad.

Disney’s ‘Encanto’ depicts Colombia as a magical place full of possibilities — a welcome change for local audiences
Iselle Toledo waits for a medical appointment at Juntos Se Puede an organization that helps Venezuelan migrants in Bogotá, Colombia.

Many Venezuelan migrants in Latin America struggle to get vaccinated

Venezuelan migrants and refugees who have moved to different parts of South America have struggled to get shots because of legal requirements at vaccination centers. And that could slow down efforts to stamp out the coronavirus in the region. 

Many Venezuelan migrants in Latin America struggle to get vaccinated
Movistar employee Alejandra Arias, 29, get her first dose of the Sinovac vaccine on July 4.

In Colombia, companies expedite vaccine rollout with private funds

With only 15% of Colombia’s population fully vaccinated, some public health experts have criticized the privately funded scheme for perpetuating inequities. Others say it will eventually benefit everyone.

In Colombia, companies expedite vaccine rollout with private funds
A mariachi band plays at the Plaza MX nightclub in Bogotá on Friday, June 11. The club was forced to close for much of last year, but was finally allowed to open fully in June as Colombia's government tries to restart the economy.

Colombia loosens COVID restrictions to save the economy as deaths soar

Like the US and Europe, Colombia is lifting most restrictions in a bid to bring back jobs — even as COVID-19 death rates climb. 

Colombia loosens COVID restrictions to save the economy as deaths soar
Maria Isabel Parra takes her turn "at bat" during a kickball match in Riohacha, Colombia, March 26, 2021.

Kickball builds bonds between migrants and locals in this Colombian border city

As anti-immigrant sentiment grows in Colombia, kickball league organizers in Riohacha hope the sport can facilitate integration between Venezuelans and their new neighbors. 

Kickball builds bonds between migrants and locals in this Colombian border city
Colombia's President Iván Duque, reacts during the presentation of the award of the contract for the construction of the Bogotá subway, Oct. 17, 2019.

By building Bogotá metro, China makes a new breakthrough in Latin America

The construction project by Chinese government-owned companies is a major feat for a city that has long sought to join other South American capitals with rail systems.

By building Bogotá metro, China makes a new breakthrough in Latin America
A family member of Javier Ordonez, who died after being detained by the police, wears a T-shirt that reads: "Justice for Javier" during his funeral in Bogota, Colombia, Sept. 16, 2020.

Report: Colombian protesters’ killings follow pattern of police violence

Street chaos erupted after the killing of Javier Ordoñez on Sept. 8, which has also drawn attention to the political rift between the progressive, left-leaning, local government of Bogotá Mayor Claudia Lopez and the conservative, right-leaning, national government of President Iván Duque.

Report: Colombian protesters’ killings follow pattern of police violence