Colombians Head to the Polls

Staff / Truthdig May 30, 2010 It's an exciting day in Colombia as citizens head to the polls to vote for a new president. The two front-runners are former Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos and former Bogota Mayor Antanas Mockus of the Green Party. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

And Now, a Word From Shakira on Arizona SB 1070

Staff / Truthdig Apr 30, 2010 She's not an American, but she is a Latina, and Colombian pop star and self-professed "She Wolf" Shakira mobilized on Thursday for a visit to Arizona, where she was due to join forces with Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon to protest the Grand Canyon State's oppressive new immigration law. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Kidnapped Colombian Governor Found Dead

Staff / Truthdig Dec 23, 2009 Colombian officials were blaming the rebel organization FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, for the death of Luis Francisco Cuellar, governor of the country's southern province of Caquetá, on Wednesday. Cuellar had been kidnapped Monday night and was found less than a day later with his throat slit. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Tensions High Between Colombia and Venezuela

Staff / Truthdig Dec 20, 2009 Tensions are running high, and relations running low, between Colombia and Venezuela. The latter's president, Hugo Chavez, told his generals to prepare for war, while the Colombian government announced a new base on the countries' border and activated six air battalions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Colombian Guerrillas Unite

Staff / Truthdig Dec 17, 2009 Despite profound ideological differences and a long history of fighting between the groups, the two largest Colombian guerrilla armies, the ELN and the FARC, have forged a pact to fight the country's security forces. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Afghan Poppy Trade Blurs All the Lines

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Oct 30, 2009 The opium poppy was introduced to Afghanistan more than 2,300 years ago by the armies of Alexander the Great. His forces were eventually driven out, like those of every would-be conqueror since. The poppy has proved more tenacious. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Body Shop Under Fire

Staff / Truthdig Sep 13, 2009 An ethical row has erupted after the supposedly eco- and human rights-friendly cosmetic provider The Body Shop was accused of buying palm oil from an organization that pressed for the eviction of Colombian peasant families in order to build a new palm plantation. Riot cops evicted the farming families in July. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Base Deal Rocks U.S.-Latin Relations

Staff / Truthdig Aug 27, 2009 The US reputation in Latin America continues to be soiled as a plan between the U and Colombia to increase American access to Colombian military bases has erupted in a firestorm of Latin anger against the deal as a form of military imperialist expansion. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Latin Leaders Unhappy With U.S. Move Into Colombia

BLANK Aug 11, 2009 The U.S. plans to move its anti-drug operations from Ecuador to Colombia, which is just a little too close for Hugo Chavez, who said "the winds of war were beginning to blow." Luis Inacio Lula da Silva added, "As president of Brazil, this climate of unease disturbs me." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Drugs, Guns and Reality

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Mar 27, 2009 It's an indictment of our fact-averse political culture that a statement of the blindingly obvious could sound so revolutionary. Nevertheless, Hillary Clinton deserves high praise for acknowledging that the U.S. bears "shared responsibility" for the drug-fueled violence sweeping Mexico. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Chesa Boudin on Colombia’s Civil War

BLANK Dec 26, 2008 A new book casts an illuminating spotlight on Colombia’s guerrilla war, fueled by cocaine profits and U.S. military aid. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Dick Cheney the Muse

Staff / Truthdig Nov 28, 2008 A well-known Colombian tailor is using Dick Cheney's famous hunting mishap -- when Cheney accidentally shot his friend in the face -- as inspiration for a new line of bulletproof hunting apparel. The accompanying video shows one of the bulletproof jackets in action. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )