Colombia
Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink
In Colombia's capital city Bogotá, pedestrians need to watch out for loose slabs of pavement they can trip over, or wobbly tiles that get their feet wet or splash dirty water on their pants. But some activists have started trying to shame the city into making repairs more quickly by covering the broken spots with pink paint and black Xs.
With strife behind them, a young migrant family prepares to seek asylum in Boston
Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group
Colombian searchers reveal new details on the rescue of four children who survived plane crash in the Amazon
El Salvador imprisons dozens of foreign visitors in crackdown on crime
Use the force: Part II
Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into what happened when Colombia’s military took on police work in Cali, the country’s third-largest city.
‘We were treated as disposable beings’: Waste pickers in Colombia fought for their rights after 11 murders
The people who collect garbage for recycling organized among themselves to change how they are paid and how they are treated. Today, waste pickers are officially recognized as part of the municipal waste system.
Afghan families traverse most of Latin America to seek asylum at the US border
The US government changed the rules governing how people can seek asylum at the US-Mexico border last week, as a pandemic-era policy called Title 42 expired. Although it may become more difficult, thousands of people are still making their way from South America to the US border, including migrants from all over the world. Some are making their way through the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle that separates Colombia and Panama.
Migration across Darién Gap changes Colombian village’s economy
In the small village of Capurgana, at the entrance to the Darién jungle and near Colombia’s border with Panama, hundreds of villagers now work as guides and porters leading migrants across the rainforest.
As Title 42 ends, more migrants from South America are crossing the Darién jungle en route to US
In Capurgana, a small town on the southern edge of the Darién Gap in Colombia, about 300 people are arriving each day to make the grueling trek across the jungle, which lasts three to four days.
In Colombia’s capital, the ‘purple patrol’ fights sexual harassment on crowded buses
Bogotá is trying to curb sexual harassment against women on public transportation systems. It’s trained more than 500 police officers as part of the purple patrol to respond to cases of gender-based violence. Female police officers also hand out leaflets with information about hotlines that women can call for assistance.
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.
This Colombian town is dimming its lights to attract more tourists to view the night sky
Thousands of people gather every year in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, for the annual Astronomy Festival. Now, event organizers are working with the local government to implement lasting improvements for the town to draw more tourists to see the stars.
Shakira's latest hit slamming her ex breaks records for Latin artists on YouTube
Shakira's release this week shot up to the top of the charts. It's a scathing breakup song with her ex: Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué.
Colombia’s plan to ban bullfighting sparks debate on tradition, animal rights
Bullfighting has become less popular as views about animal rights change in Colombia. But in some parts of the country, it is still a highly esteemed tradition.