Donate

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.  

Closing the Darién Gap with a barbed-wire fence

Immigration

Panama has started to build a barbed-wire fence in the Darien jungle between South and Central America. The goal is to stop migrants from reaching the US. But by blocking the trails most frequently used by the migrants, the fence could reroute people on their journeys, pushing them to take dangerous detours.

Panama has relocated islanders affected by rising sea levels — and says many more villages also need to be moved

Climate Change

Colombia joins efforts to boycott Israel — but other countries in the region take a more cautious approach 

Israel-Hamas war

Migrants take to social media to document their risky journey to the US

Migration
Three people cross a ravine as they walk through a forest with water bottles and backpacks.

‘I’ll go for the American dream’: After struggling to get legal status in Colombia, many Venezuelan migrants are heading to the US

Immigration
a group of tourists take photos of the birds perched on the balcony rails

Macaws lighten things up in Venezuela’s capital, and form a special bond with residents

Environment

Blue and gold macaws, a species non-native to the city, have developed a relationship with the residents of Caracas, Venezuela. However, the birds’ future is uncertain as their habitats are becoming increasingly endangered.

 Former combat medic Hector Bernal trains soldiers in tactical medicine at his center outside Bogotá. Bernal says he’s trained more than 20 soldiers who have gone to Ukraine recently.

Colombian army veterans join Ukraine’s army — motivated by financial need

Ukraine

Hundreds of Colombians have recently enlisted in Ukraine’s military, as it tries to replenish its forces after months of heavy losses on the frontlines. But many are not going for ideological reasons.

US dollars are now commonly used by businesses in Venezuela. The informal adoption of the dollar has helped to decrease inflation and product shortages.

Venezuela’s public sector workers take on multiple side jobs just to get by

Economics

To supplement their meager wages, many government workers in Venezuela are turning to side hustles that include driving taxis, baking cakes, selling clothes or taking care of pets. And that’s having an impact on the quality of public services.

Large mural of Venezuela that includes the disputed Essequibo region

A border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana could intensify as Maduro aims for reelection

Conflict

Venezuela has been ramping up nationalist propaganda campaigns as a border dispute intensifies over Essequibo, a remote region that is rich in oil and gold. The push to take it over began in early December with a referendum asking voters if this territory should be turned into a Venezuelan state. Manuel Rueda reports from Caracas on how this issue plays into upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela.

Tourists stroll down a street that is packed with bars and restaurants, in Medellin's Provenza neighborhood.

Medellín was one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Now, it’s trying to grapple with an influx of tourists.

Community

With a reputation for being fun, affordable and surrounded by nature, Medellín has become Colombia’s most visited city. But a recent boom in tourism has also been bittersweet for some locals, who are being priced out of the city’s most appealing neighborhoods.