Colombia

sidewalk

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. 

Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink
Zhayreth, Adriana, Freddy and Freydar Torres sit on the stoop of their apartment in Dorchester.

With strife behind them, a young migrant family prepares to seek asylum in Boston

With strife behind them, a young migrant family prepares to seek asylum in Boston
protest

Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group 

Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group 
people lined up

Colombian searchers reveal new details on the rescue of four children who survived plane crash in the Amazon 

Colombian searchers reveal new details on the rescue of four children who survived plane crash in the Amazon 
A police officer searches and checks the documents of a man living in the Kiwanis Community, during a preventive patrol in search of gang members in Soyapango, El Salvador, Aug. 16, 2022, amid a state of exception.

El Salvador imprisons dozens of foreign visitors in crackdown on crime

El Salvador imprisons dozens of foreign visitors in crackdown on crime
Soldiers line up before leaving to patrol the streets in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. 

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.

Use the force: Part II
man with trash

‘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. 

‘We were treated as disposable beings’: Waste pickers in Colombia fought for their rights after 11 murders
Three families from Afghanistan prepare to board a boat in Necocli, Colombia, that will take them towards the border with Panama.

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.

Afghan families traverse most of Latin America to seek asylum at the US border
After migrants arrive in Capurgana's harbor, they are loaded on tuk-tuks and taken to the shelter on the edge of town.

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.

Migration across Darién Gap changes Colombian village’s economy
A group of Venezuelan migrants begins the grueling three day trek across the Darien Gap, as they leave the Colombian village of Capurgana.

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.  

As Title 42 ends, more migrants from South America are crossing the Darién jungle en route to US
Bogota has trained more than 500 police officers to respond to cases of gender-based violence, known as the purple patrol.

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.

In Colombia’s capital, the ‘purple patrol’ fights sexual harassment on crowded buses
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 
To get certified by the Starlight Foundation, Villa de Leyva, Colombia, plans to change its streetlights so they only point downward and use light bulbs with warmer colored temperatures.

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.

This Colombian town is dimming its lights to attract more tourists to view the night sky
Shakira poses for portrait photographs for "Elvis" at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 25, 2022.

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.

Shakira's latest hit slamming her ex breaks records for Latin artists on YouTube
Bullfighting is still legal in the Colombian city of Manizales, which holds a major festival on the first week of January.

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.

Colombia’s plan to ban bullfighting sparks debate on tradition, animal rights