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[1/3] A general view shows the water conditions of the Piraiba river before a summit of Amazon rainforest nations, in Belem, Para state, Brazil August 6, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoSAO PAULO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Eight Amazon rainforest nations are expected to face divisions over proposals to block new oil drilling and end deforestation when they meet on Tuesday for their first summit in 14 years. But at a pre-summit meeting last month, Colombian President Gustavo Petro pushed his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to block all new oil development in the Amazon. Brazil is weighing whether to develop a potentially huge offshore oil find near the mouth of the Amazon River. "Are we going to let hydrocarbons be explored in the Amazon rainforest?

Persons: Ueslei Marcelino, Gustavo Petro, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Petro, Lula, Jake Spring, Oliver Griffin, Lucinda Elliott, Brad Haynes, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Ueslei, Ueslei Marcelino SAO PAULO, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, Brazilian, Miami Herald, Global Forest Watch, Thomson Locations: Belem , Para, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, Belem, Amazon, Lula's, Leticia, Bolivian, Bogota, Montevideo

☆ Prosecutor, defense request house arrest for son of Colombian president
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Defendant and son of Colombian president Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro attends a hearing in Bogota, Colombia August 3, 2023 in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Colombian Prosecutor's Office/Handout via REUTERSBOGOTA, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Both the prosecution and the defense in a money laundering and illicit enrichment case against Nicolas Petro, the eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on Friday requested house arrest for the younger Petro. Petro, 37, was arrested last weekend in the city of Barranquilla alongside his ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, who is being held on similar charges. Both prosecutor Burgos and Petro's defense attorney David Teleki supported a house arrest measure in a morning hearing, with Teleki citing the impeding birth of Petro's child with his current partner. According to the charges, Nicolas Petro received money from accused drug traffickers in exchange for including them in the president's peace plans.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro, Petro, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, Mario Burgos, Burgos, David Teleki, pained, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Alistair Bell Organizations: Colombian Prosecutor's, REUTERS, Teleki, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, REUTERS BOGOTA, Barranquilla, Atlantico province

☆ Colombia's central bank cuts 2023 forecasts for inflation, growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Luisa GonzalezBOGOTA, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The technical team of Colombia's central bank on Wednesday lowered its outlook for inflation in 2023 to 9%, from 9.5% previously, and cut its forecast growth for Latin America's fourth-largest economy to 0.9%. The technical team previously forecast Colombia's economic growth at 1% for this year. Colombia's 12-month inflation through June 30 hit 12.13%, slightly below the 12.2% expected by analysts who were consulted for a Reuters poll. The technical team forecast that inflation would end 2024 at 3.5%, close to the bank's long-term target of 3%, but above a previous forecast of 3.4%. The current economic context suggests the board should maintain a contractive stance on monetary policy to bring inflation towards the target, the report added.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez BOGOTA, Ricardo Bonilla, Gustavo Petro, Nelson Bocanegra, Oliver Griffin, Leslie Adler, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia

☆ Colombia's central bank cuts 2023 inflation forecast to 9%
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Luisa GonzalezBOGOTA, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The technical team of Colombia's central bank on Wednesday lowered its outlook for inflation in 2023 to 9%, from 9.5% previously, citing a recent slowing of consumer price growth. The team also now expects Latin America's fourth largest economy to post growth of 0.9% this year, compared with a previous forecast of 1%. Colombia's 12-month inflation through June 30 hit 12.13%, slightly below the 12.2% expected by analysts who were consulted for a Reuters poll. The technical team forecast that inflation would end 2024 at 3.5%, close to the bank's long-term target of 3%, but above a previous forecast of 3.4%. Reporting by Oliver Griffin and Nelson Bocanegra; Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez BOGOTA, Ricardo Bonilla, Gustavo Petro, Oliver Griffin, Nelson Bocanegra, Sandra Maler, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia

☆ Colombia, ELN rebels start six-month ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/7] An attendee looks on during an event with peace negotiators of Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, in Bogota, Colombia August 3, 2023. "Welcome to peace," Petro told the inauguration of a committee meant to ensure civil society participation in the talks. The government's high peace commissioner, Danilo Rueda, had said on Tuesday the ceasefire would safeguard civilians and protect them from crimes like kidnapping. The United Nations Secretary-General congratulated the two sides on the ceasefire in a statement on Thursday, hailing its potential to reduce civilian suffering. The U.N. Verification Mission in Colombia will monitor the effort under a mandate form the Security Council.

Persons: Vannessa Jimenez, Gustavo Petro's, Petro, Eliecer Herlinto Chamorro, guerre Antonio Garcia, Danilo Rueda, Aureliano Carbonell, Carbonell, del, Rueda, Luis Jaime Acosta, Oliver Griffin, Leslie Adler Organizations: National Liberation Army, REUTERS, United Nations, Security Council, Force, Clan, Reuters, Congress, Estado Mayor Central, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Segunda, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, Vannessa Jimenez BOGOTA, Petro

☆ Colombia hopes Amazon summit will be deforestation 'turning point'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Colombia's government is hopeful that an upcoming regional summit in Brazil will represent a turning point in the deterioration of the Amazon, Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said on Thursday. The eight countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), which include Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru, will meet Aug. 7-8 in the Brazilian city of Belem at the mouth of the Amazon River. The summit - which follows a meeting in Colombia's Amazon city of Leticia a month ago - is aimed at finding ways to prevent further degradation of the Amazon rainforest, the preservation of which scientists say is vital for curbing the effects of climate change. Talks will also include the complicated issue of hydrocarbon exploration, Muhamad said. While Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has voiced concern over oil and gas exploration in the Amazon, Muhamad said the situation was "much more complex" than other topics.

Persons: Susana Muhamad, Muhamad, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro, Oliver Griffin, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Amazon, Colombian, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazilian, Belem, Amazon, Leticia, Bogota

☆ Colombia and Rebel Group Begin Cease-Fire After Decades of Combat
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Genevieve Glatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A cease-fire between the Colombian government and the country’s largest remaining rebel group took effect on Thursday, the longest halt to hostilities the group has agreed to and a milestone in efforts to end the country’s 60-year internal conflict, which has killed roughly 450,000 people. While the cease-fire is supposed to last six-months, it could pave the way for a permanent truce with the leftist group, the National Liberation Army, a guerrilla organization known as the E.L.N. that operates in the countryside and has helped fuel the violence that plagues parts of rural Colombia. Mr. Petro, himself a former member of a rebel group, is the country’s first leftist president. The cease-fire applies to combat between the E.L.N.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Petro Organizations: Colombian, National Liberation Army Locations: Colombia

☆ Son of Colombia's president admits illegal money entered election campaign -prosecutor
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Carlos Vargas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nicolas Petro, son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, speaks at the Atlantic Assembly in Barranquilla, Colombia on March 14, 2023, in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Asamblea del Atlantico / Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoBOGOTA, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Nicolas Petro, the eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on Thursday admitted that illegal money entered his father's election campaign last year, the prosecutor handling the case said on Thursday. The president insisted he will remain in office until 2026, citing the mandate of his election victory. "No one but the people can end this government," Petro said during a speech in Sincelejo, in Colombia's Sucre province. According to the charges, Nicolas Petro, a lawmaker in Atlantico province, received money from accused drug traffickers in exchange for including them in the president's peace plans.

Persons: Nicolas Petro, Gustavo Petro, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, Mr, Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos, Gustavo Petro Urrego, Mario Burgos, Vasquez, Petro, Carlos Vargas, Nelson Bocanegra, Julia Symmes Cobb, Oliver Griffin, Gerry Doyle, Leslie Adler Organizations: Atlantic Assembly, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Barranquilla, Colombia, del Atlantico, Handout, BOGOTA, Burgos, Sincelejo, Colombia's Sucre, Atlantico province

☆ Son of Colombia's president pleads not guilty to money laundering charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nicolas Petro, son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, speaks at the Atlantic Assembly in Barranquilla, Colombia on March 14, 2023, in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Asamblea del Atlantico / Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoBOGOTA, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro, on Tuesday pled not guilty to charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment at a court in Bogota, the capital. By denying the charges, Nicolas Petro lost the chance to secure a 50% reduction of any sentence if convicted. The president's son could receive a sentence of between 12 and 20 years if found guilty during a trial, according to lawyers. Vasquez also denied the charges of money laundering and violating data protection laws.

Persons: Nicolas Petro, Gustavo Petro, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, Vasquez, Petro, Luis Jaime Acosta, Oliver Griffin, Leslie Adler Organizations: Atlantic Assembly, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Barranquilla, Colombia, del Atlantico, Handout, BOGOTA, Bogota, Atlantico province

☆ Son of Colombia President Petro arrested over money laundering accusation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The son of Colombia’s president has been arrested as part of an investigation into money laundering and illicit enrichment, the Colombian attorney general’s office said in a statement. Responding to the news of his son’s arrest, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he was “hurt,” but guaranteed the prosecution procedures would be in accordance with the law. Petro went on to wish his son “luck and strength” and reiterated his intention to not intervene or pressure the attorney general in this case. Back then, the president welcomed the investigation, inviting the attorney general to get to the bottom of the allegations surrounding his son. In the same way, charges will be made for the aforementioned crimes and a measure restricting freedom will be requested,” the statement said.

Persons: general’s, Nicolas Petro –, Petro, Gustavo Petro, ” Petro, “, Nicolas Petro’s, Daysuris, Carmen Vásquez Castro Organizations: CNN, Atlantico province – Locations: Colombian, Atlantico province, Caribbean, Republic

☆ Colombia proposes 502.6 trillion pesos 2024 budget
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA, July 29 (Reuters) - Colombia's government on Saturday presented a budget proposal worth 502.6 trillion pesos ($127.8 billion) for 2024 to Congress, 19% greater than this year, the Finance Ministry said, an amount that would be the country's highest if approved. The proposal includes spending 94.52 trillion pesos for servicing debt, and 97.75 trillion pesos for investment. "The 2024 budget is realistic," the finance ministry said in a statement. Government ministers worked through Thursday night to finish the proposal, President Gustavo Petro said on Friday in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The proposed budget earmarks 70.5 trillion pesos for education, health, drinking water and other general purposes, and some 57.4 trillion pesos would fund the state pension system.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Colombia's, Nelson Bocanegra, Julia Cobb Symmes, Oliver Griffin, Sandra Maler Organizations: Finance Ministry, Twitter, Congress, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA

☆ Colombian President’s Son Is Arrested in Money Laundering Inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Genevieve Glatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The son of Gustavo Petro, the president of Colombia, was arrested on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, the attorney general’s office announced early Saturday morning. Nicolás Petro was arrested along with his ex-wife, Daysuris Vásquez, who was also charged with money laundering, as well as personal data violations. They were taken into custody and the attorney general is seeking to have them held in detention on those charges, according to the statement by his office. The attorney general’s office announced in March that it was investigating the younger Mr. Petro, a politician in the northern department of Atlántico, for allegedly receiving money from drug traffickers in exchange for including them in his father’s peace negotiations. The president has been negotiating with various illegal armed groups as he seeks to end the country’s 60-year internal conflict, which has killed around 450,000 people.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Nicolás Petro, Daysuris Vásquez, Petro, ” Locations: Colombia, Atlántico

☆ Colombia President Petro's son arrested in money laundering probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BOGOTA, July 29 (Reuters) - Nicolas Petro, son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has been arrested as part of an investigation into money laundering and illicit enrichment, the attorney general's office said early on Saturday. Also arrested on money laundering and personal data violation accusations was Nicolas' ex-wife Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, who earlier this year told local media two people accused of involvement with drug trafficking had given Nicolas money for his father's campaign. May these occurrences forge his character and may he reflect about his own errors," the president said. The attorney general's office will request to a judge that the younger Petro and Vasquez be held on the charges, it said. "Charges will be formulated for the aforementioned crimes and liberty restriction measures will be requested," the attorney general's office said in a statement, adding the arrests took place at 6 a.m. local time (1100 GMT).

Persons: Nicolas Petro, Gustavo Petro, Petro, Nicolas, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, Golfo, Vasquez, Julia Symmes Cobb, Diane Craft Organizations: National Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Atlantico province

☆ Intentaron movilizar a Sudamérica para apoyar a Ucrania. Casi mueren en el proceso
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Gabriela Sá Pessoa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

“Y cuando ya lo tenía en mi mano”, relató Abad, refiriéndose a su vaso, “Victoria bromeó, diciendo: ‘parece whisky’”, dijo. Y en ese momento no hubo sirenas. Hubo algo como una explosión que yo nunca he sentido, nunca en mi vida”. Pero Amelina, una de las escritoras jóvenes más reconocidas de Ucrania, falleció en un hospital cuatro días después. Pero tres semanas después, en Bruselas, en una cumbre de líderes europeos y sus homólogos latinoamericanos, Petro decidió nadar entre dos aguas al momento de discutir la guerra.

☆ Marijuana farmers in Colombia push government to find a place for them
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Cajibio CNN —On a recent Friday morning, about 200 coca and marijuana farmers gathered in the small town of Cajibio, southwestern Colombia, to hear the government out. More than 200,000 farmers of drug crops live in criminality in Colombia because their harvest is illegal, according to COCCAM, a workers’ union representing farmers involved in cocaine and marijuana production. Meeting between Colombia's government and drug farmers in Cajibio. Opponents of legal marijuana, like rightwing opposition leader German Vargas Lleras, say legal weed would only push more people into drug consumption, and celebrated the collapse of the latest regulation effort. “This is not about me or you getting high, it’s about the farmers and the producers,” Miranda told CNN.

Persons: Gloria Miranda, Yulier Lopez, Lopez, Ivan Duque, Cajibio, “, Stefano Pozzebon, Gustavo Petro, Petro, Juan Carlos Losada, ” Losada, Losada, German Vargas Lleras, ”, ” Lopez, Luis Cunda, Cunda, Colombia Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Cunda, Miranda, ’ Chris Alexander, ” Miranda, Nestor Osuna Organizations: CNN, Justice Ministry, Colombian, Liberal, ’, Human Rights Watch, New, Losada Locations: Cajibio, Colombia, UNODC, Colombian, CNN Colombian, Colombia’s Cauca, COCCAM, Cauca, ‘, Miranda, Caloto, United States, Uruguay, Latin America, Denver, Colorado, New York State, Bogota

☆ Missing children found after 40 days in Amazon released from hospital
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Four young children found last month after surviving 40 days in the Amazon rainforest following an air crash have been released from hospital and are in good shape, according to Colombian authorities. The four children, ages between 1 and 13, have been receiving treatment at Colombia’s Military Hospitalin Bogota since they were found on June 9. They were released from the medical facility on Friday and are now staying at a shelter home, according to Astrid Garces, director of Colombian Children Welfare Agency ICBF, at a press briefing Friday. The children are staying at one of the 188 shelters the agency runs across Colombia. Traces pointing to their survival sparked a massive military-led search involving more than hundred Colombian special forces troops and 70 indigenous scouts combing the area.

Persons: Astrid Garces, ” Garces, ”, Jacobombaire, Tien Ranoque Mucutuy, Cristin Ranoque, Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia, Gustavo Petro, farina, Manuel Ranoque Organizations: CNN, Colombia’s Military Hospitalin, Colombian Children Welfare Agency, Colombian Locations: Colombia’s Military Hospitalin Bogota, Colombia, Colombian

BOGOTA, July 12 (Reuters) - Deforestation in Colombia fell 29.1% in 2022 versus the previous year spurred by sharp decreases in the country's Amazon region, the government said on Wednesday, marking the lowest level since 2013. Nationally, deforestation fell by just over 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) last year to just over 1,235 square kilometers (477 square miles). That is down from 1,741 square kilometers in 2021 and surpassed the government's target of cutting the rate to 1,400 square kilometers a year by 2026. Deforestation in Amazon provinces, where a majority of the activity occurs, fell significantly, the environment ministry said in its report, with a 50% decrease in Caqueta province alone. Despite smashing the deforestation reduction target, both the government and Botero cautioned against declaring victory.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Susana Muhamad, Muhamad, Rodrigo Botero, Botero, audios, Oliver Griffin, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Foundation for Conservation, Sustainable Development, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Bogota, Brazil, Amazon, Caqueta

☆ Colombia gov't risks incompliance with fiscal rule - committee
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BOGOTA, July 10 (Reuters) - Colombia risks falling out of compliance with its fiscal rule through greater spending proposed for 2024 and the financial impact of reforms being debated in Congress, an independent committee warned on Monday. Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla has said the government would respect the 2011 rule which imposes constraints on fiscal policy to block deterioration of public finances. The finance ministry in June presented its medium-term fiscal framework (MFMP), noting that the deficit could increase to 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product in 2024. It revised its debt targets upwards and adjusted its fiscal deficit forecast for 2023 up to 4.3% of GDP from 3.8% originally. The expert Autonomous Fiscal Rule Committee (CARF) said spending increases planned for this year and next could put greater pressure on Colombia's finances and reverse success in reducing the deficit following the coronavirus pandemic.

Persons: Ricardo Bonilla, Gustavo Petro, Nelson Bocanegra, Oliver Griffin, Richard Chang Organizations: . Finance, Gross, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia

☆ FARC dissidents and Colombian government reach agreement to begin peace talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 9 (Reuters) - Colombia's government has reached an agreement to begin peace talks with a faction of dissident Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels who rejected a 2016 peace agreement, according to a statement. The statement called for an "integral, stable, and lasting peace with social and environmental justice." Another rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), which was not part of the 2016 deal, is currently in talks with Petro's government. The parties announced in June that a six-month ceasefire will begin in August. Reporting and writing by Anna-Catherine Brigida; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Mark Porter Organizations: Revolutionary Armed Forces, Estado Mayor Central, Twitter, Colombian government's, Peace, National Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: Colombia

☆ Top FARC dissident leader Ivan Marquez dead, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marín Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources. Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death. Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew. Marquez died in Venezuela the two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, which also included an intelligence source. Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

Persons: Ivan Marquez, Marquez, Luciano Marín Arango, Ivan Mordisco, Ivan Velasquez, Gustavo Petro, Miguel Botache Santillana, Gentil Duarte, Seuxis Hernandez, Hernan Dario Velasquez, Jesus Santrich, El Paisa, Nicolas Maduro, Petro, Luis Jaime Acosta, Vivian Sequera, Oliver Griffin, Julia Symmes Cobb, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Segunda, Colombia's, Venezuela's Ministry, Information, National Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Venezuela, Colombia, Caracas, Venezuela's, United States, Colombian

☆ Top FARC dissident leader Ivan Marquez dead - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BOGOTA, July 6 (Reuters) - Ivan Marquez, the well-known leader of a faction of former FARC rebels who returned to arms after a peace deal with Colombia's government, has died in Venezuela, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marín Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources. Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death. Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew. Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

☆ Colombia senate votes down recreational marijuana bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] People demonstrate in front of the Colombian Congress, in favor of the regulation of marijuana for adult use in Bogota, Colombia June 20, 2023. Uruguay, Canada and some states in the U.S. allow the sale of recreational marijuana. Backers including Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco said recreational marijuana's continued illegality only benefits criminals. "From the government we will insist on this issue," Velasco said in quotes shared by the Senate on Twitter. We have majorities, we lacked seven votes," he tweeted after the vote on the bill, which needed 54 votes in favor and won 47, with 43 against.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez BOGOTA, Gustavo Petro, Luis Fernando Velasco, Velasco, Juan Carlos Losada, Oliver Griffin, Carlos Vargas, Julia Symmes Cobb, Alexander Smith Organizations: Colombian, REUTERS, Colombia's, Senate, Twitter, Liberal Party, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, Uruguay, Canada, U.S

☆ Colombians march against Petro's reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsColombians march against Petro's reformsPostedThousands of anti-government demonstrators marched through Colombia's major cities on Tuesday (June 20) to protest the economic and social reforms pushed by the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro.

Persons: Gustavo Petro Locations: Colombia's

☆ Amazon plane crash: Oldest sister praised for 'heroic role' in Colombian jungle, grandfather says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon Ruba Alhenawi Maria Plaza Heather Chen | Stefano Pozzebon | Ruba Alhenawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In clips shared online by the Colombian Defense Ministry, the children’s grandfather Narciso Mucutuy detailed how 13-year-old Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy cared for her younger siblings during the traumatic ordeal. “When she looked and saw that her mother was dead, she saw the foot of her youngest sister and she pulled them out,” he said. “Their learning from indigenous families and their learning of living in the jungle has saved them,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro said. ‘We have a saying ‘We never leave an element behind,’ even less the four children, we would not leave Wilson. “I believe in the jungle, which is our mother … both the jungle and nature have never betrayed me,” he said.

Persons: Wilson, Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia, Narciso Mucutuy, Mucutuy, “, ”, Cristin, Soleiny Jacobombaire, Tien Ranoque Mucutuy, farina, Gustavo Petro, Lesly, Belgian Shepherd, Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez, ‘, Manuel Ranoque, … Organizations: CNN, Colombian Defense Ministry, Forces, Colombian Locations: Belgian, Colombian, Bogota

CNN —Eating cassava flour helped save the lives of four children found alive in the Amazon jungle more than a month after their plane crashed, according to a Colombian military special forces official. The children ate “three kilograms (six pounds) of farina,” a coarse cassava flour commonly used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon region, said spokesperson Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez. The children’s mother Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia was killed in the plane crash on May 1, leaving them alone and stranded in the Amazon jungle. The children’s disappearance sparked a massive military-led search operation that saw more than one hundred Colombian special forces troops and over 70 indigenous scouts combing the deep forest. They told officials that they had found a dog – a Belgian Shepherd search dog named Wilson that belonged to special forces.

Persons: farina, Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez, ” Suárez, “, ”, Ranoque, Cristin Ranoque, What’s, Ivan Velasquez, Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia, Hernando Murcia Morales, Herman Mendoza Hernández, Belgian Shepherd, Wilson, Suárez, Gustavo Petro, ” Petro Organizations: CNN, Colombian Air Force, Colombian Defense, Colombian Locations: Colombian, Bogota, Belgian, Colombia

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