Peace with the FARC guerrillas must be signed by 22 February to be put to a referendum on 25 October; the day of Colombia’s local and regional elections.
Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that President Santos must present any peace agreement with the Marxist rebels to Congress no later than 24 February, and that the public must be told in advance of this date.
Colombia’s peace talks with the FARC guerrillas began exactly two years ago. Partial agreement has been reached on half the agenda. No previous attempt to end the 50 year war has come this far. But scepticism remains and opposition to the talks is hardening.
Yes, President Santos won reelection this summer on a peace ticket, but despite the progress and the hype, in reality we are far from knowing whether he can deliver.
The holy trinity. That’s what Colombia’s President Santos is promising in his second four year term.
Peace, equality (or more precisely, equity) and education; the three pillars of the new administration. Read more…
The race to succeed Gustavo Petro as Mayor of Bogota is already under way, as 3 “big beasts” line up ahead of October 2015 election.
If Colombia’s top weekly publication Semana is to be believed, those throwing their hats in the ring are Clara Lopez, Rafael Pardo and Pacho Santos. Read more…
Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t be seen dead drinking Starbucks coffee. But ignore the small-minded souls who protest its arrival; Starbucks is a good thing for Colombia.
President Juan Manuel Santos is elected President of Colombia for a second, four year term with over 50% of the vote.
Colombians have responded to the president’s cry to vote for peace, rejecting the hardline rhetoric of former president Alvaro Uribe Velez.
32 million Colombians must choose today between fear and hatred.
If turn out is over 50% it will be a minor miracle.
There is even talk that if right-winger Oscar Ivan Zuluaga loses by a tight margin, his political patron ex-president Alvaro Uribe will contest the result.
Neither Juan Manuel Santos nor Oscar Ivan Zuluaga deserve to be elected president.
Colombians go to the polls a day after “la selección” plays its first World Cup finals game since 1998.
You could excuse them for nursing their hangovers in bed and declining to vote.
On Saturday 14 June, the heroes in yellow and blue will offer hope of a nation at peace with itself, of glory and sporting triumph. On Sunday, the nation’s leaders by contrast offer fear and loathing. Read more…