Colombia
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Latin America Monitor
Who is responsible for the Bogota, Colombia bombing this week?
Some question why the FARC would carry out such a high profile attack as the May 15 Bogota bombing when the government has broached the idea of peace talks, writes a guest blogger.
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Bomb in Colombian capital taints first day of Colombia-US free trade agreement
The Colombia-US FTA goes into effect today, six years after the initial signing. But celebrations were dampened after a reportedly unrelated bomb blast occurred near the main financial district in Bogota.
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Latin America Monitor
Is Bogota's gun ban responsible for a drop in homicides?
If a new gun ban in Colombia's capital is linked to a drop in the murder rate, it could potentially serve as a model for the rest of Latin America, writes guest blogger Geoffrey Ramsey.
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Latin America Monitor
Is French journalist kidnapped in Colombia a prisoner of war?
The ambiguities over FARC-kidnapped Romeo Langlois' status as a POW is indicative of a wider debate over the status of journalists in modern conflict zones, writes a guest blogger.
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Latin America Monitor
Press freedom falls in Latin America, French journalist missing in Colombia
Freedom of the press is under threat in much of the Americas, according to a Freedom House report.
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Latin America Monitor
Mexico weighs law to compensate victims of drug violence
Mexico's Senate approved a law that would provide compensation of up to $70,000 to victims of organized crime, writes a guest blogger. It still needs approval from the House of Representatives.
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Latin America Monitor
Santos hailed as regional leader, but approval falls at home in Colombia
Colombia's President Santos is riding high regionally, but a new poll suggests his domestic approval ratings have dropped, writes guest blogger James Bosworth.
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Latin America Monitor
Secret Service scandal: an embarrassment for Colombian city, too (+video)
Officials in Cartagena are protesting the negative image their city is earning amid the blanket coverage of a Secret Service prostitute scandal.
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Secret Service scandal sheds light on sex tourism in Latin America
Large events like the Summit of the Americas and upcoming Olympic games in Brazil can drive up the demand for prostitution and sex trafficking.
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Drug policy and Cuba headline Summit of the Americas (+video)
The Sixth Summit of the Americas saw what Mexico's Calderón called a 'radical' change: candid conversation about differences over drug policy and Cuba.
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Latin America Monitor
Americas Summit: Will there be consensus on Cuba?
Cuba, as always, was not invited to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia this weekend. But its participation at future meetings could become a major issue.
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Sixth Summit of the Americas: 8 things to watch
Yes, the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena will debate drug policy and Cuba. Here are eight other topics to be discussed at the Summit.
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Can Colombia's Santos unify the Americas?
Building consensus is important as the Americas struggle with high crime and violence. At this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Colombia, all eyes are on President Santos.
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Latin America Monitor
Colombia to reassess policy of extraditing drug traffickers to US
Many think extradition to the US is a trafficker's worst nightmare, but many negotiate with US law enforcement for more lenient sentences resulting in dramatically reduced jail time, says a blogger.
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Latin America Monitor
Heading to Summit of the Americas: Obama, Chávez – and robots
Some 32 police agencies representing 27 countries are sharing security technology like robots for the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, a good sign for regional integration, writes a blogger.
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For FARC hostages, a combined hundred years of solitude (+video)
The FARC released 10 hostages yesterday, each held for over a decade. The release was a step in the right direction, says Colombia's president, but a peace deal is not imminent.
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Latin America Monitor
FARC hostage release: Peace agreement ahead in Colombia? (+video)
10 police and military hostages of the FARC were released yesterday, some seeing their family for the first time in 14 years. Though a positive sign, this may not mean immediate peace in Colombia.
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FARC hostage release raises hopes for Colombia peace talks
The release of all hostages is a condition for opening talks with the FARC to end decades of internal conflict in Colombia, but analysts say peace talks won't begin any time soon.
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Latin America Monitor
Colombia passes 'historic' law to compensate the displaced
The 'victim's law' may come too late for the families who built up new communities on their own.
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Venezuela-Colombia ties remain strong despite Chávez's reported links to FARC
Newly published findings that Venezuela financed the FARC rebel group in Colombia seem unlikely to harm growing economic and diplomatic links between the two countries.
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How long will Al Qaeda live beyond bin Laden? Lessons from Latin America.
A real-world example of why Al Qaeda could live well beyond Osama bin Laden, Latin America has found limited results from taking out leaders of deadly ideological insurgencies.
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Spread of drone programs in Latin America sparks calls for code of conduct
At least nine Latin American nations are developing drone programs, raising calls for a code of conduct that will assuage concerns over potential misuse.
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China's role in realizing 'Latin America decade'
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff arrived in China today accompanied by 300 business leaders on a visit aimed at boosting a growing economic partnership.
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Walid Makled's extradition case highlights warming Venezuela-Colombia ties
Colombian President Santos looks likely to announce the extradition of alleged drug kingpin Walid Makled to Venezuela during a meeting Saturday with Chávez.
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Global News Blog
Colombia's monks transform a space of violence into a place of peace
The monks are trying to erase the bloody history of a grand villa that once served as a prison for one of Colombia's most brutal drug lords.
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