Monthly Archives: November 2011

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Uribe v. Santos – Colombia’s top politicians at war

‘Hypocritical’ ‘hostile’ and ‘lacking in popular support’ – these were the words former president Alvaro Uribe this month chose to describe his successor, President Santos. In the 2010 presidential elections,…

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British eye Colombia as Santos’ pro-investment politics bear fruit

After meeting British Prime Minister Cameron and taking tea with HM the Queen yesterday, President Santos announced that British businesses will invest over 3.5 billion dollars in Colombia over the…

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FARC leader’s death – victory for Santos and Colombia

Two nights ago my sleep was interrupted by the unmistakable buzz and whir of military helicopters as they circled overhead, bringing the cadaver of FARC leader ‘Alfonso Cano’ to a…

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The dawn of a new, democratic, Colombian left?

Sunday saw the dawn of a new left-wing in Colombia. Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla in the ultra-left M-19 was elected Mayor of Bogotá, in the process becoming the second…

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Mayor Gustavo Petro – the day that changed Colombian politics

Colombian politics have changed. For the first time in her history, a former guerrilla has become mayor of the capital city, Bogotá. But Gustavo Petro, once a militant in the…