Manuel Rueda
Manuel Rueda is a freelance journalist based in Bogota, Colombia where he has been living for the past five years. Manuel has covered the peace deal between Colombia's government and the FARC rebels, Venezuela's political crisis and how Colombia is adapting to the arrival of more than one million Venezuelan migrants. He is a dual citizen of Colombia and Venezuela and always ready to travel. Last year he also produced stories in Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil.
Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes
Supporters of newly elected Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo say that the nation’s courts have long favored the elites including some former military members. But now under Arévalo, whose victory is under dispute, they say that they hope for change, including for the victims of war crimes committed during Guatemala’s civil war.
Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink
Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group
New banking services tackle barriers faced by migrants
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
In El Salvador, thousands of people have been imprisoned over the past 15 months, including dozens of international visitors, as the government tries to stop gang violence through a law known as the “state of exception.”
Shelters for migrants in Mexico City overwhelmed as US changes its asylum rules
Migrants from many countries were previously able to cross the US border on foot and turn themselves in to officials to begin asylum proceedings. But since May 12, it's become much harder, and those turned down are banned from re-entering the US for the next five years. Many are now trying to secure appointments through a US government app, but spaces are limited.
‘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.
'We are worried': Melting glaciers lead to dangerous overflow in this Peruvian lake
As ice sheets from glaciers melt, dozens of lakes around the world risk overflowing, causing potentially deadly avalanches and flooding in nearby towns and villages. In Huaraz, Peru, residents hope to find ways to prevent Lake Palcacocha from overflowing again — before it's too late.
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.