<p>Colombian President Gustavo Petro launched a new national drug policy on Tuesday (Oct 3) that would focus on reducing the size of coca crops, cutting potential cocaine output, and preventing deforestation linked to drug trafficking. Addressing an event in El Tambo, a municipality in Cauca province, President Petro said that the policy would run from 2023 to 2033.</p>

<p>Petro said that the policy would support regions, communities, and ecosystems affected by illegal drugs, helping people to abandon illegal activities in favour of legal economies, and transforming their economic and social conditions in the process.</p>

<p>"We want to carry out the first concerted experience with the entire community, some will want to, some will not. This is to transform one economy into another. This is undoubtedly worth money and this requires a state and more than the state, a social effort that goes beyond our own nation. It is a national effort. With you we want to change this economy," Petro added.</p>

<p>The president also pointed out that his government wanted to show the world how a policy that is not based on prison, extradition, and state corruption or repression could be far more effective. It would encourage the voluntary eradication of coca crops, to replace the plants with coffee, cocoa, or fruit, and will see the State increase its presence in Colombia's remote regions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The policy would also focus on implementing environmental management and measures to conserve and restore areas affected by drug trafficking while tackling drug use with a focus on public health and human rights.</p>

<p>Colombia has been among the top global producers of cocaine and of the coca leaf it is made of. As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2022, coca crops covered some 2,300 square kilometres of Colombia's territory - up 13% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the potential cocaine output rose 24% to 1,738 metric tons.</p>

<p>Despite the launch of the new drug policy, the government would continue to target the finances of criminal organizations involved in the drug trade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, President Petro proposed an alliance between Latin American countries to transform the war on drugs by recognising drug consumption as a public health problem instead of confronting it with what he called a "failed" militarized approach.</p>

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro launched a new national drug policy on Tuesday (Oct 3) that would focus on reducing the size of coca crops, cutting potential cocaine output, and preventing deforestation linked to drug trafficking.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro launched a new national drug policy on Tuesday (Oct 3) that would focus on reducing the size of coca crops, cutting potential cocaine output, and preventing deforestation linked to drug trafficking. Addressing an event in El Tambo, a municipality in Cauca province, President Petro said that the policy would run from 2023 to 2033. Petro said that the policy would support regions, communities, and ecosystems affected by illegal drugs, helping people to abandon illegal activities in favour of legal economies, and transforming their economic and social conditions in the process. "We want to carry out the first concerted experience with the entire community, some will want to, some will not. This is to transform one economy into another. This is undoubtedly worth money and this requires a state and more than the state, a social effort that goes beyond our own nation. It is a national effort. With you we want to change this economy," Petro added. The president also pointed out that his government wanted to show the world how a policy that is not based on prison, extradition, and state corruption or repression could be far more effective. It would encourage the voluntary eradication of coca crops, to replace the plants with coffee, cocoa, or fruit, and will see the State increase its presence in Colombia's remote regions. The policy would also focus on implementing environmental management and measures to conserve and restore areas affected by drug trafficking while tackling drug use with a focus on public health and human rights. Colombia has been among the top global producers of cocaine and of the coca leaf it is made of. As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2022, coca crops covered some 2,300 square kilometres of Colombia's territory - up 13% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the potential cocaine output rose 24% to 1,738 metric tons. Despite the launch of the new drug policy, the government would continue to target the finances of criminal organizations involved in the drug trade. Last month, President Petro proposed an alliance between Latin American countries to transform the war on drugs by recognising drug consumption as a public health problem instead of confronting it with what he called a "failed" militarized approach. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia launches new anti-drug plan till 2033. Here's what it focuses on

Tragic news coming in from Colombia as the president of the Colombian second division Club has been killed after his team's defeat during a home match. On Saturday the 63-year-old Edgar Paez was shot dead as he was driving home with his daughter after the match. Paez was shot dead by two men on a motorbike near the stadium where his Tigres team had suffered a 2-3 defeat against Atletico FC.

Tigres President Edgar Paez killed after the Colombian team's home loss to Atletico FC

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<p>Cocaine is set to overtake oil to become Colombia's main export item as the government strengthens the fight against drug trafficking. According to a report by the news agency Bloomberg on Thursday (September 14), Colombia's oil exports posted a drop of 30 per cent in the first half and the revenue from cocaine has constantly gone up. This means that cocaine could be the country's number one export item as soon as this year.</p>

<p>“Cocaine export revenues jumped to $18.2 billion in 2022 — not far behind oil exports of $19.1 billion last year,” the report estimated, and pointed out that while the government was destroying laboratories where cocaine was&nbsp;manufactured from coca leaves, but this did not prevent production from expanding.</p>

<h2><strong>Govt changes approach towards drug trafficking</strong></h2>

<p>President Gustavo Petro's government has changed Colombia's approach towards drug trafficking, seeking to hit drug lords who benefit more from the sale of narcotics overseas rather than targeting coca leaf producers, who are the weakest link in the production chain. President Petro has been seeking talks with the nation’s main drug-trafficking groups, hoping to end the 60-year-long conflict through peace accords.</p>

<p>The report said that the new approach toward drugs is facilitating illegal groups to increase cocaine production. As per a United Nations report this week, cocaine output surged to a record 1,738 tonnes last year, while the amount of land planted with coca, the raw material for making the drug, rose 13% to a record 230,000 hectares (570,000 acres) in 2022 from the previous year.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Colombia proposes Latin American alliance to combat drug trafficking</strong></h2>

<p>A week back, <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombian-president-petro-proposes-latin-american-alliance-to-combat-drug-trafficking-634384">Colombian President Petro</a></strong> proposed a Latin American alliance to bring a unified voice to the fight against drug trafficking. "It is time to rebuild hope and not repeat the bloody and ferocious wars, the ill-named 'war on drugs', viewing drugs as a military problem and not as a health problem for society," Petro said during the Latin America and Caribbean Conference on Drugs on September 9.</p>

<p>He also pushed for the reconsideration of an anti-drug strategy and urged for the need for a unified voice "that defends our society, our future and our history and stops repeating a failed discourse."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Cocaine is set to overtake oil to become Colombia's main export item as the government strengthens the fight against drug trafficking. According to a report by the news agency Bloomberg on Thursday (September 14), Colombia's oil exports posted a drop of 30 per cent in the first half and the revenue from cocaine has constantly gone up.

Cocaine is set to overtake oil to become Colombia's main export item as the government strengthens the fight against drug trafficking. According to a report by the news agency Bloomberg on Thursday (September 14), Colombia's oil exports posted a drop of 30 per cent in the first half and the revenue from cocaine has constantly gone up. This means that cocaine could be the country's number one export item as soon as this year. “Cocaine export revenues jumped to $18.2 billion in 2022 — not far behind oil exports of $19.1 billion last year,” the report estimated, and pointed out that while the government was destroying laboratories where cocaine was manufactured from coca leaves, but this did not prevent production from expanding. Govt changes approach towards drug trafficking President Gustavo Petro's government has changed Colombia's approach towards drug trafficking, seeking to hit drug lords who benefit more from the sale of narcotics overseas rather than targeting coca leaf producers, who are the weakest link in the production chain. President Petro has been seeking talks with the nation’s main drug-trafficking groups, hoping to end the 60-year-long conflict through peace accords. The report said that the new approach toward drugs is facilitating illegal groups to increase cocaine production. As per a United Nations report this week, cocaine output surged to a record 1,738 tonnes last year, while the amount of land planted with coca, the raw material for making the drug, rose 13% to a record 230,000 hectares (570,000 acres) in 2022 from the previous year. Colombia proposes Latin American alliance to combat drug trafficking A week back, Colombian President Petro proposed a Latin American alliance to bring a unified voice to the fight against drug trafficking. "It is time to rebuild hope and not repeat the bloody and ferocious wars, the ill-named 'war on drugs', viewing drugs as a military problem and not as a health problem for society," Petro said during the Latin America and Caribbean Conference on Drugs on September 9. He also pushed for the reconsideration of an anti-drug strategy and urged for the need for a unified voice "that defends our society, our future and our history and stops repeating a failed discourse." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cocaine set to become Colombia's main export soon, says report

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<p>As many as 177 environmental activists were murdered across the world last year, with 60 of the killings taking place in Colombia alone, making it the deadliest place on Earth for green warriors - according to a report by London-based NGO Global Witness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While only 33 environment defenders lost their lives in&nbsp;the South American nation in 2021, the figure nearly doubled in 2022, signifying a disturbing trend.</p>

<p>"This is almost double the number of killings compared to 2021, when 33 defenders lost their lives," said the report, adding that very few perpetrators of the killing are ever brought to justice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since record-keeping began in 2012, at least 382 environmentalists have been killed in Colombia up until now. Apart from the environmentalists, the Indigenous people, small-scale farmers and members of Afro-descendant communities were also targeted in the attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even the politicians in the country are not safe from those opposing the green agenda. Francia Marquez, the nation's vice president and winner of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018, has already faced multiple threats on her life.</p>

<p>In 2019, she survived an attack by gunmen who tried to kill her over her work defending her home region's water resources against mining companies.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/deforestation-in-brazils-amazon-falls-66-in-august-wion-climate-tracker-632968" target="_blank"><strong>Watch | Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls 66% in August | WION Climate Tracke</strong></a>r</p>

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<h2><strong>Latin American countries top the murder chart&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While Colombia recorded the highest number of murders, other countries in Latin America did not fare any better. Brazil recorded 34 murders, Mexico 31 and Honduras 11. The Amazon region saw 39 killings, with many of the victims from indigenous communities.</p>

<p>The watchdog asserted that the full scale of the killings remained unknown, primarily due to a lack of independent monitoring and restrictions on free press in many countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deforestation-declines-in-brazils-amazon-as-govt-approves-more-indigenous-reserves-632735" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Deforestation declines in Brazil's Amazon as govt approves more indigenous reserves</strong></a></p>

<p>The group has called upon governments globally to address the issue. Notably, in countries where green defenders are not murdered in plain sight, they often find themselves embroiled in the legal web as the pressure groups use the might of&nbsp;the administration to cull their voices.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The worsening climate crisis and the ever-increasing demand for agricultural commodities, fuel and minerals will only intensify the pressure on the environment -– and those who risk their lives to defend it," warned the watchdog.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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As many as 177 environmental activists were murdered across the world last year, with 60 of the killings taking place in Colombia alone, making it the deadliest place on Earth for green warriors - according to a report by London-based NGO Global Witness.

As many as 177 environmental activists were murdered across the world last year, with 60 of the killings taking place in Colombia alone, making it the deadliest place on Earth for green warriors - according to a report by London-based NGO Global Witness. While only 33 environment defenders lost their lives in the South American nation in 2021, the figure nearly doubled in 2022, signifying a disturbing trend. "This is almost double the number of killings compared to 2021, when 33 defenders lost their lives," said the report, adding that very few perpetrators of the killing are ever brought to justice. Since record-keeping began in 2012, at least 382 environmentalists have been killed in Colombia up until now. Apart from the environmentalists, the Indigenous people, small-scale farmers and members of Afro-descendant communities were also targeted in the attacks. Even the politicians in the country are not safe from those opposing the green agenda. Francia Marquez, the nation's vice president and winner of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018, has already faced multiple threats on her life. In 2019, she survived an attack by gunmen who tried to kill her over her work defending her home region's water resources against mining companies. Watch | Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls 66% in August | WION Climate Tracker × Latin American countries top the murder chart While Colombia recorded the highest number of murders, other countries in Latin America did not fare any better. Brazil recorded 34 murders, Mexico 31 and Honduras 11. The Amazon region saw 39 killings, with many of the victims from indigenous communities. The watchdog asserted that the full scale of the killings remained unknown, primarily due to a lack of independent monitoring and restrictions on free press in many countries. Also read | Deforestation declines in Brazil's Amazon as govt approves more indigenous reserves The group has called upon governments globally to address the issue. Notably, in countries where green defenders are not murdered in plain sight, they often find themselves embroiled in the legal web as the pressure groups use the might of the administration to cull their voices. "The worsening climate crisis and the ever-increasing demand for agricultural commodities, fuel and minerals will only intensify the pressure on the environment -– and those who risk their lives to defend it," warned the watchdog. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Colombia emerges as most dangerous nation for environmentalists, 60 murdered in 2022

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<p>Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday (September 9) proposed an alliance between Latin American countries to bring a unified voice to the fight against drug trafficking. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, President Petro closed the Latin America and Caribbean Conference on Drugs by saying that over five decades of a failed war on drugs resulted in immeasurable bloodshed and pain across Latin America.</p>

<p>"It is time to rebuild hope and not repeat the bloody and ferocious wars, the ill-named 'war on drugs', viewing drugs as a military problem and not as a health problem for society," Petro said during the press conference. In a joint statement, the countries participating in the conference said the demand for illicit drugs must be reduced by educating the public and combating inequality, poverty, lack of opportunities, and violence.</p>

<h2><strong>Anti-drug strategy should be reconsidered: Petro</strong></h2>

<p>The Colombian president also pushed for the reconsideration of an anti-drug strategy and urged for the need for a unified voice "that defends our society, our future and our history and stops repeating a failed discourse."</p>

<p>Colombia, which saw an unprecedented surge in violence years ago from drug trafficking during Pablo Escobar's reign, still faces persistent violence from current drug cartels with growing firepower and economic might.</p>

<p>In December last year, the Colombian government agreed on a ceasefire with the country's main drug cartel Gulf Clan as part of President Petro's plan for total peace in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the ceasefire was suspended in March with Petro accusing the Gulf Clan of "sowing anxiety and terror." The president ordered security forces to reactivate their military operations against the cartel.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Mexico urges Latin America to support US' fight against Fentanyl</strong></h2>

<p>Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was a part of Saturday's conference, said that Latin American countries needed to support the United States in its fight against Fentanyl.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World</strong></p>

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<p>“More than a pandemic, we must participate in the fight against fentanyl use in the United States. What they are facing is a pandemic, it is not just a quantitative issue. 100,000 young people lose their lives every year due to fentanyl use. To turn our back and say 'We don't care.' We have to deal with that problem,” President Obrador said&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday (September 9) proposed an alliance between Latin American countries to bring a unified voice to the fight against drug trafficking.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday (September 9) proposed an alliance between Latin American countries to bring a unified voice to the fight against drug trafficking. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, President Petro closed the Latin America and Caribbean Conference on Drugs by saying that over five decades of a failed war on drugs resulted in immeasurable bloodshed and pain across Latin America. "It is time to rebuild hope and not repeat the bloody and ferocious wars, the ill-named 'war on drugs', viewing drugs as a military problem and not as a health problem for society," Petro said during the press conference. In a joint statement, the countries participating in the conference said the demand for illicit drugs must be reduced by educating the public and combating inequality, poverty, lack of opportunities, and violence. Anti-drug strategy should be reconsidered: Petro The Colombian president also pushed for the reconsideration of an anti-drug strategy and urged for the need for a unified voice "that defends our society, our future and our history and stops repeating a failed discourse." Colombia, which saw an unprecedented surge in violence years ago from drug trafficking during Pablo Escobar's reign, still faces persistent violence from current drug cartels with growing firepower and economic might. In December last year, the Colombian government agreed on a ceasefire with the country's main drug cartel Gulf Clan as part of President Petro's plan for total peace in the country. However, the ceasefire was suspended in March with Petro accusing the Gulf Clan of "sowing anxiety and terror." The president ordered security forces to reactivate their military operations against the cartel. Mexico urges Latin America to support US' fight against Fentanyl Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was a part of Saturday's conference, said that Latin American countries needed to support the United States in its fight against Fentanyl. Watch | Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World × “More than a pandemic, we must participate in the fight against fentanyl use in the United States. What they are facing is a pandemic, it is not just a quantitative issue. 100,000 young people lose their lives every year due to fentanyl use. To turn our back and say 'We don't care.' We have to deal with that problem,” President Obrador said (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian President Petro proposes Latin American alliance to combat drug trafficking

<p>The Colombian government said Saturday (Sept. 02) that armed dissidents called Estado Mayor Central (EMC) had agreed to renew a ceasefire and peace talks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The peace deal is a part of leftist President Gustavo Petro's larger agenda to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor regarding tackling rebel groups.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A joint statement released by the government and the EMC said that the current agreement "aims to reduce confrontation and violence." The statement said that the truce would apply throughout the country, and it aims to include "civil society in the peace process."</p>

<h2><strong>Next step: Peace talks</strong></h2>

<p>Now that the ceasefire has been restored, it is being speculated that peace talks between EMC and the government can begin. It must be noted that EMC had rejected peace talks with the government in 2016, and it chose to break away from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after it entered into peace negotiations with the government.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Colombia plane crash: 4 children including infant found alive in Amazon rainforest after 40 days</strong></p>

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<p>FARC, which transformed into the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force political party in 2017, has broadly respected the 2016 peace plan. However, some defiant members chose to set up their own outfit under the EMC umbrella.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joy-for-whole-country-four-colombian-children-rescued-from-dense-jungle-five-weeks-after-plane-crash-602755"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash</strong></a></p>

<p>Representatives of the EMC group were quoted as saying by DW that the Colombian government had initiated discussions in the mountains a week ago and they are trying to revive the peace talks.</p>

<p>EMC said that the peace plan would be supervised by other nations as well as multilateral organisations such as the UN, the Organization of American States and the World Council of Churches.</p>

<p>However, it was not made clear when the peace talks would begin.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened to previous ceasefire?</strong></h2>

<p>This is not the first truce between the government and EMC rebels. One such truce previously collapsed after President Petro accused a faction of EMC of murdering four children from the Murui indigenous community in Southern Colombia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Petro, elected last year, campaigned on a pledge to pursue "total peace" and to strike accords with the remaining rebel groups in Colombia still fighting over access to drug routes and other illegal commerce, among other things.</p>

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The Colombian government said Saturday (Sept. 02) that armed dissidents called Estado Mayor Central (EMC) had agreed to renew a ceasefire and peace talks. The peace deal is a part of leftist President Gustavo Petro's larger agenda to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor regarding tackling rebel groups.

The Colombian government said Saturday (Sept. 02) that armed dissidents called Estado Mayor Central (EMC) had agreed to renew a ceasefire and peace talks. The peace deal is a part of leftist President Gustavo Petro's larger agenda to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor regarding tackling rebel groups. A joint statement released by the government and the EMC said that the current agreement "aims to reduce confrontation and violence." The statement said that the truce would apply throughout the country, and it aims to include "civil society in the peace process." Next step: Peace talks Now that the ceasefire has been restored, it is being speculated that peace talks between EMC and the government can begin. It must be noted that EMC had rejected peace talks with the government in 2016, and it chose to break away from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after it entered into peace negotiations with the government. Watch: Colombia plane crash: 4 children including infant found alive in Amazon rainforest after 40 days × FARC, which transformed into the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force political party in 2017, has broadly respected the 2016 peace plan. However, some defiant members chose to set up their own outfit under the EMC umbrella. Also read: Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash Representatives of the EMC group were quoted as saying by DW that the Colombian government had initiated discussions in the mountains a week ago and they are trying to revive the peace talks. EMC said that the peace plan would be supervised by other nations as well as multilateral organisations such as the UN, the Organization of American States and the World Council of Churches. However, it was not made clear when the peace talks would begin. What happened to previous ceasefire? This is not the first truce between the government and EMC rebels. One such truce previously collapsed after President Petro accused a faction of EMC of murdering four children from the Murui indigenous community in Southern Colombia. Petro, elected last year, campaigned on a pledge to pursue "total peace" and to strike accords with the remaining rebel groups in Colombia still fighting over access to drug routes and other illegal commerce, among other things. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Colombian govt reaches truce with EMC rebels, peace talks on cards

<p>A powerful 6.3 earthquake struck Colombia's capital Bogotá on Thursday. The massive tremor caused alarm and panic among residents, due to which one woman reportedly fell to her death. However, apart from this,&nbsp;as per reports, no significant injuries or property damage have been recorded as of now.</p>

<h2><strong>Casualties</strong></h2>

<p>AFP, quoting its journalists present at the scene, reported&nbsp;that as the ground shook, buildings trembled, and sirens blared, thousands of residents rushed onto the streets. Many of them were observed reaching for their phones to call loved ones and check on&nbsp;their safety.</p>

<p>Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bogotá's mayor, Claudia Lopez, reassured the public and urged them to remain calm and cautious.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-braces-for-impact-as-hurricane-hilary-approaches-after-hitting-mexico-626538">California braces for impact as Hurricane Hilary approaches after hitting Mexico</a></strong></p>

<p>"Strong tremor in Bogotá. Let's remain calm and cautious. Please take all precautions against possible aftershocks. Calm, serenity and caution."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Hasta el momento solo tenemos reportes de personas atrapadas en ascensores y otros eventos menores. Nada de gravedad. <a href="https://twitter.com/BomberosBogota?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BomberosBogota</a> atendiendo los sitios reportados.<br />
Calma y serenidad. Mantener la precaución porque pueden seguirse dando réplicas.<br />
Ya instalado PMU Distrital. <a href="https://t.co/ARujKztUXm">https://t.co/ARujKztUXm</a></p>
— Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaudiaLopez/status/1692226958250160633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Lopez said that the city had only received reports of minor incidents.</p>

<p>There were only "reports of people trapped in elevators and other minor events. Nothing serious," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In another post, Lopez reported that "the only serious incident reported was the throwing of a woman in Madelena from the tenth floor of an apartment building, apparently due to nervous disorder."</p>

<p>Authorities have&nbsp;issued an advisory for the citizens, asking them to "re-enter your homes and workplaces." The post also lists what is to be done in case of another tremor.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">El PMU Distrital da de momento por superado el incidente del fuerte temblor. Mil gracias por mantener la serenidad. No hubo afectaciones materiales graves. Fue más el susto.<br />
<br />
Sigan por favor en este momento estas instrucciones:<br />
1. Reingresen a sus viviendas y lugares de trabajo.… <a href="https://t.co/e96mX0n5MQ">pic.twitter.com/e96mX0n5MQ</a></p>
— Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaudiaLopez/status/1692252324461162809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per AFP, reports of a landslide have emerged from Villavicencio. Furthermore, as per an update by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, only windows of homes and businesses were affected in El Calvario, the town closest to the epicentre.&nbsp;Colombia's civil defence agency reported that&nbsp;throughout the entire municipality of Calvario,&nbsp;residents were evacuated.</p>

<h2><strong>Magnitude, epicentre, and more</strong></h2>

<p>While the Colombian Geological Survey (CGS), says that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1, the US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded it slightly higher at 6.3.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-new-military-recruitment-campaign-calls-on-citizens-to-overcome-their-fears-626540">Ukraine's new military recruitment campaign calls on citizens to 'overcome their fears'</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the Colombian agency, the quake occurred at 12:04 pm (1704 GMT). Its epicentre was located in the town of El Calvario in central Colombia, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Bogotá.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shortly after the massive tremor struck Bogotá, an aftershock of magnitude 5.9 followed, as reported by the CGS on social media. As per Reuters, another&nbsp;aftershock was measured at 4.8 magnitude.</p>

<p>Netizens reported that the earthquake was also felt in nearby cities, including Villavicencio, Bucaramanga, Tunja, and Ibague. All of these are located in the vicinity of the quake's epicentre.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A powerful 6.3 earthquake struck Colombia's capital Bogotá on Thursday. The massive tremor caused alarm and panic among residents, due to which one woman reportedly fell to her death.

A powerful 6.3 earthquake struck Colombia's capital Bogotá on Thursday. The massive tremor caused alarm and panic among residents, due to which one woman reportedly fell to her death. However, apart from this, as per reports, no significant injuries or property damage have been recorded as of now. Casualties AFP, quoting its journalists present at the scene, reported that as the ground shook, buildings trembled, and sirens blared, thousands of residents rushed onto the streets. Many of them were observed reaching for their phones to call loved ones and check on their safety. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bogotá's mayor, Claudia Lopez, reassured the public and urged them to remain calm and cautious. Also read | California braces for impact as Hurricane Hilary approaches after hitting Mexico "Strong tremor in Bogotá. Let's remain calm and cautious. Please take all precautions against possible aftershocks. Calm, serenity and caution." Hasta el momento solo tenemos reportes de personas atrapadas en ascensores y otros eventos menores. Nada de gravedad. @BomberosBogota atendiendo los sitios reportados. Calma y serenidad. Mantener la precaución porque pueden seguirse dando réplicas. Ya instalado PMU Distrital. https://t.co/ARujKztUXm — Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) August 17, 2023 × Lopez said that the city had only received reports of minor incidents. There were only "reports of people trapped in elevators and other minor events. Nothing serious," she said. In another post, Lopez reported that "the only serious incident reported was the throwing of a woman in Madelena from the tenth floor of an apartment building, apparently due to nervous disorder." Authorities have issued an advisory for the citizens, asking them to "re-enter your homes and workplaces." The post also lists what is to be done in case of another tremor. El PMU Distrital da de momento por superado el incidente del fuerte temblor. Mil gracias por mantener la serenidad. No hubo afectaciones materiales graves. Fue más el susto. Sigan por favor en este momento estas instrucciones: 1. Reingresen a sus viviendas y lugares de trabajo.… pic.twitter.com/e96mX0n5MQ — Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) August 17, 2023 × As per AFP, reports of a landslide have emerged from Villavicencio. Furthermore, as per an update by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, only windows of homes and businesses were affected in El Calvario, the town closest to the epicentre. Colombia's civil defence agency reported that throughout the entire municipality of Calvario, residents were evacuated. Magnitude, epicentre, and more While the Colombian Geological Survey (CGS), says that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1, the US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded it slightly higher at 6.3. Also read | Ukraine's new military recruitment campaign calls on citizens to 'overcome their fears' As per the Colombian agency, the quake occurred at 12:04 pm (1704 GMT). Its epicentre was located in the town of El Calvario in central Colombia, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Bogotá. Shortly after the massive tremor struck Bogotá, an aftershock of magnitude 5.9 followed, as reported by the CGS on social media. As per Reuters, another aftershock was measured at 4.8 magnitude. Netizens reported that the earthquake was also felt in nearby cities, including Villavicencio, Bucaramanga, Tunja, and Ibague. All of these are located in the vicinity of the quake's epicentre. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

6.3 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia, one casualty reported

<p>Anissa Lahmari's winner powered World Cup debutants Morocco past Colombia 1-0 on Thursday and into the last 16 at the expense of two-time champions Germany. Morocco's upset in Perth lifted them to six points and they finished runners-up in Group H to Colombia on goal difference. Germany were eliminated after being held to a 1-1 draw with South Korea in Brisbane. Colombia will play Jamaica in the round of 16, while Morocco face France. &nbsp;</p>

<p>It was a fairytale result for Morocco, who have rebounded from a humiliating 6-0 drubbing on their debut against Germany with wins over South Korea and Colombia. In front of 17,342 fans, the sole goal arrived moments before half-time when Ibtissam Jraidi was impeded in the box by a clumsy Daniela Arias.&nbsp;Captain Ghizlane Chebbak's penalty kick was spectacularly saved by lunging goalkeeper Catalina Perez, who dived to her left.&nbsp;But Sakina Ouzraoui pounced on the deflection and her nifty pass found Lahmari who made no mistake from close range.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Colombia, wearing their yellow shirts, fielded a full-strength team despite having effectively qualified to the last 16 before this game.&nbsp;Real Madrid striker Linda Caicedo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 15 but made a full recovery, took her place after x-rays cleared her of any health issues. Caicedo, who scored goals in Colombia's wins against South Korea and Germany, had suffered breathing difficulties against the Germans just days after collapsing in training with chest pain. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-lionel-messi-scores-two-more-as-inter-miami-march-past-orlando-city-621865">Football: Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami march past Orlando City</a></strong></p>

<p>Midfielder Mayra Ramirez overcame a knee injury sustained against Germany.&nbsp;But Morocco took heed of coach Reynald Pedros' plea to play aggressively with a dashing Jraidi forcing Perez into a save in the opening minute.&nbsp;An attacking Morocco continued to dictate the early exchanges with Chebbak and Fatima Tagnaout particularly influential.&nbsp;Tagnaout set up Lahmari whose long-range strike on the half hour sailed well over the bar. Caicedo had limited impact and copped an errant tackle to her foot which had her writhing on the turf.&nbsp; She was finally involved just before half-time with several menacing dashes down the right, but Colombia couldn't capitalise.</p>

<p>Morocco made them pay with Lahmari's goal putting the group on a knife's edge at the interval. Colombia came out aggressively and almost equalised on the hour when Daniela Montoya's bullet was brilliantly saved by Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi. They continued to press with Ramirez slamming a powerful shot from a tight angle into the right post.&nbsp;But Morocco hung on to trigger wild celebrations from their players.</p>

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Anissa Lahmari's winner powered World Cup debutants Morocco past Colombia 1-0 on Thursday and into the last 16 at the expense of two-time champions Germany. Morocco's upset in Perth lifted them to six points and they finished runners-up in Group H to Colombia on goal difference.

Anissa Lahmari's winner powered World Cup debutants Morocco past Colombia 1-0 on Thursday and into the last 16 at the expense of two-time champions Germany. Morocco's upset in Perth lifted them to six points and they finished runners-up in Group H to Colombia on goal difference. Germany were eliminated after being held to a 1-1 draw with South Korea in Brisbane. Colombia will play Jamaica in the round of 16, while Morocco face France. It was a fairytale result for Morocco, who have rebounded from a humiliating 6-0 drubbing on their debut against Germany with wins over South Korea and Colombia. In front of 17,342 fans, the sole goal arrived moments before half-time when Ibtissam Jraidi was impeded in the box by a clumsy Daniela Arias. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak's penalty kick was spectacularly saved by lunging goalkeeper Catalina Perez, who dived to her left. But Sakina Ouzraoui pounced on the deflection and her nifty pass found Lahmari who made no mistake from close range. Colombia, wearing their yellow shirts, fielded a full-strength team despite having effectively qualified to the last 16 before this game. Real Madrid striker Linda Caicedo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 15 but made a full recovery, took her place after x-rays cleared her of any health issues. Caicedo, who scored goals in Colombia's wins against South Korea and Germany, had suffered breathing difficulties against the Germans just days after collapsing in training with chest pain. Also read: Football: Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami march past Orlando City Midfielder Mayra Ramirez overcame a knee injury sustained against Germany. But Morocco took heed of coach Reynald Pedros' plea to play aggressively with a dashing Jraidi forcing Perez into a save in the opening minute. An attacking Morocco continued to dictate the early exchanges with Chebbak and Fatima Tagnaout particularly influential. Tagnaout set up Lahmari whose long-range strike on the half hour sailed well over the bar. Caicedo had limited impact and copped an errant tackle to her foot which had her writhing on the turf. She was finally involved just before half-time with several menacing dashes down the right, but Colombia couldn't capitalise. Morocco made them pay with Lahmari's goal putting the group on a knife's edge at the interval. Colombia came out aggressively and almost equalised on the hour when Daniela Montoya's bullet was brilliantly saved by Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi. They continued to press with Ramirez slamming a powerful shot from a tight angle into the right post. But Morocco hung on to trigger wild celebrations from their players. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FIFA Women's World Cup: Morocco stun Colombia to storm into last 16 and chuck out Germany

Colombian president Gustavo Petro has announced that his son Nicholas Petro has been arrested on charges of money laundering linked to his election campaign. Currently, Nicholas and his ex-wife Daysuris del Carmen Vásquez are in police custody.

Colombia President Gustavo says son arrested on money laundering charges

<p>Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday made a shocking revelation saying that his son Nicolas was arrested on charges of money laundering and illegal enrichment in connection to a scandal related to Petro's election campaign.</p>

<p>He took to Twitter, rebranded as X, and wrote that the police had arrested his son and the son's ex-wife Daysuris Vasquez.</p>

<p>In the month of March, Vasquez claimed that Nicolas Petro had received thousands of dollars from drug traffickers and smugglers in the year 2022 for his father's presidential campaign which turned out to be extremely successful, but instead utilised the money to live a luxurious life in the northern city of Barranquilla.</p>

<p>"To my son I wish luck and strength. May these occurrences forge his character and may he reflect about his own errors," the president said. "As I affirmed to the attorney general I will not intervene nor pressure his decisions, may the law freely guide the process."</p>

<p>The president has vowed to make peace or surrender deals with rebels and criminal groups to put an end to Colombia's 60-year internal conflict, which has claimed lives of 450,000 people.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-police-clash-with-protesters-demanding-resignation-of-pm-several-injured-620637">Bangladesh: Police clash with protesters demanding resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina, several injured</a></p>

<p>Prosecutors confirmed the arrest of the president's son on money laundering charges and illicit enrichment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attorney general's office will request to a judge that the younger Petro and Vasquez be held on the charges, it said.</p>

<p>"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).</p>

<p>Since the case came to light, the Colombian president has denied accepting cash from the country's potent cocaine lords. He himself asked that his son be probed.</p>

<p>Nicolas Petro was a lawmaker for his father's party in the Northern Atlantic department. His bank records, which were published by several local media outlets, showed he had far more money than what would correspond to that of the salary withdrawn from Congress.</p>

<p>Once, during an interview, Vasquez said that her former husband received the equivalent of $124,000 from a former drug trafficker named Samuel Santander Lopesierra.</p>

<p>Santander Lopesierra served 18 years in prison in the United States for drug trafficking.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday made a shocking revelation saying that his son Nicolas was arrested on charges of money laundering and illegal enrichment in connection to a scandal related to Petro's election campaign.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday made a shocking revelation saying that his son Nicolas was arrested on charges of money laundering and illegal enrichment in connection to a scandal related to Petro's election campaign. He took to Twitter, rebranded as X, and wrote that the police had arrested his son and the son's ex-wife Daysuris Vasquez. In the month of March, Vasquez claimed that Nicolas Petro had received thousands of dollars from drug traffickers and smugglers in the year 2022 for his father's presidential campaign which turned out to be extremely successful, but instead utilised the money to live a luxurious life in the northern city of Barranquilla. "To my son I wish luck and strength. May these occurrences forge his character and may he reflect about his own errors," the president said. "As I affirmed to the attorney general I will not intervene nor pressure his decisions, may the law freely guide the process." The president has vowed to make peace or surrender deals with rebels and criminal groups to put an end to Colombia's 60-year internal conflict, which has claimed lives of 450,000 people. Also read: Bangladesh: Police clash with protesters demanding resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina, several injured Prosecutors confirmed the arrest of the president's son on money laundering charges and illicit enrichment. 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). Since the case came to light, the Colombian president has denied accepting cash from the country's potent cocaine lords. He himself asked that his son be probed. Nicolas Petro was a lawmaker for his father's party in the Northern Atlantic department. His bank records, which were published by several local media outlets, showed he had far more money than what would correspond to that of the salary withdrawn from Congress. Once, during an interview, Vasquez said that her former husband received the equivalent of $124,000 from a former drug trafficker named Samuel Santander Lopesierra. Santander Lopesierra served 18 years in prison in the United States for drug trafficking. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says son was arrested on money laundering charges

At least 15 people died in a landslide in Colombia after heavy rain led to a stream bursting its bank in a village–according to local reports, at least six people are injured, more than 20 houses in El Na-Ran-Jal village are destroyed, and the key bridge connecting the south of the country with the capital Bogota has collapsed. Authorities also reported heavy traffic between Bogota and the south of the country. President Gustavo Petro, who is currently attending a summit in Brussels, sent his condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

Colombia: landslide kills at least 15 and injures more than six

<p>Colombia's armed forces and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels are set to halt offensive actions against each other from this week, prior to the beginning of a full ceasefire in August.</p>

<p>The two sides agreed to the step in June during peace negotiations to end the guerrilla group's part in the country's nearly 60 years of internal conflict, which has killed at least 450,000 people.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-suspends-truce-with-armed-leftists-after-killing-of-four-indigenous-children-595225">Colombia suspends truce with armed leftists after killing of four Indigenous children</a></strong></p>

<p>"From 00 hour on July 6 until 00 hour&nbsp;on August 3, 2023, the structures of the National Liberation Army should stop all offensive military action against the armed forces and the police in all national territory, including intelligence efforts," the&nbsp;ELN&nbsp;said in a statement posted on its website on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The group will continue to respond to attacks on or threats to its units, it added.</p>

<p>The government's high peace commissioner, Danilo Rueda, in a statement on Tuesday said President Gustavo Petro will make an announcement in the same vein with explicit and specific orders to the armed forces.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-price-crash-a-blow-for-colombian-coca-growers-596786">Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers</a></strong></p>

<p>The full ceasefire, set to begin August&nbsp;3 and last for six months, is the most concrete step so far after the talks began in November, and are part of Petro's efforts to end the conflict between the government, rebels and crime gangs.</p>

<p>Previous negotiations with the&nbsp;ELN, which has some 2,800 combatants, have faltered due to its diffuse chain of command and dissent within its ranks.</p>

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Colombia's armed forces and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels are set to halt offensive actions against each other from this week, prior to the beginning of a full ceasefire in August.

Colombia's armed forces and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels are set to halt offensive actions against each other from this week, prior to the beginning of a full ceasefire in August. The two sides agreed to the step in June during peace negotiations to end the guerrilla group's part in the country's nearly 60 years of internal conflict, which has killed at least 450,000 people. Also read | Colombia suspends truce with armed leftists after killing of four Indigenous children "From 00 hour on July 6 until 00 hour on August 3, 2023, the structures of the National Liberation Army should stop all offensive military action against the armed forces and the police in all national territory, including intelligence efforts," the ELN said in a statement posted on its website on Tuesday. The group will continue to respond to attacks on or threats to its units, it added. The government's high peace commissioner, Danilo Rueda, in a statement on Tuesday said President Gustavo Petro will make an announcement in the same vein with explicit and specific orders to the armed forces. Also read | Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers The full ceasefire, set to begin August 3 and last for six months, is the most concrete step so far after the talks began in November, and are part of Petro's efforts to end the conflict between the government, rebels and crime gangs. Previous negotiations with the ELN, which has some 2,800 combatants, have faltered due to its diffuse chain of command and dissent within its ranks. WATCH WION LIVE:

Colombia, ELN rebels agree to halt offensive actions this week, full ceasefire from August

<p>In Colombia, a police officer had to be hospitalised after swallowing a wad of banknotes. The policeman reportedly did this to avoid getting caught in the middle of an extortion case.</p>

<p>As per a report in The Guardian, in return for not arresting his victim on false charges, the police officer had demanded a bribe from a businessman.</p>

<p>However, unknown to him, the businessman had already reported the shakedown to Colombia's anti-kidnapping and extortion unit.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Hungry Hungry' <s>Hippos</s>&nbsp;</strong><strong>police officer</strong></h2>

<p>When anti-corruption investigators arrived at the scene of the shakedown&nbsp;in the suburb of Soacha near the capital, Bogotá, the officer hastily swallowed the cash in an attempt to destroy the evidence.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joy-for-whole-country-four-colombian-children-rescued-from-dense-jungle-five-weeks-after-plane-crash-602755">Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Was he successful in destroying evidence?</strong></h2>

<p>No, unfortunately for him, the banknotes got lodged in his throat, obstructing his airways and sending him to the emergency room.</p>

<p>Videos circulating online captured the pale-faced officer protesting his innocence while sitting in a police van after swallowing nine notes. In the video, the police officer can be seen visibly in discomfort, coughing to try to dislodge the notes stuck in his throat.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Polic%C3%ADas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Policías</a> acusados de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Extorsi%C3%B3n?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Extorsión</a> a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Comerciantes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Comerciantes</a> se comen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Billetes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Billetes</a> para evitar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C%C3%A1rcel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cárcel</a> en <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colombia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Colombia</a> 🫰🏻👮🏻‍♂️💸<br />
<br />
Se realizó la captura y posterior legalización de dos patrulleros que estaban haciendo prácticas <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Corruptas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Corruptas</a> extorsionando a un comerciante de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Soacha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Soacha</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FyP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FyP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/V%C3%ADdeo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vídeo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Viral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Viral</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yd59pILnHm">pic.twitter.com/Yd59pILnHm</a></p>
— ÉdGa®️ Bustillo (@edbusti) <a href="https://twitter.com/edbusti/status/1669316965125566464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Even as he recoils and gasps for breath, in the video, the officer can be heard saying: "I have received nothing, absolutely nothing, I don't know what they are talking about."</p>

<p>Despite his pleas, the evidence against him was substantial.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One anti-corruption officer can be heard stating, "We'll have to take him to the hospital to get him cleaned."</p>

<p>Anti-corruption officers provided emergency medical assistance to the choking officer, who was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/after-spending-record-100-days-underwater-floridas-dr-deep-resurfaces-602805">After record 100 days underwater, Florida's Dr Deep resurfaces. Here's why he achieved the amazing feat</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>How much money did he swallow?</strong></h2>

<p>Doctors were able to remove the 500,000 pesos (£95) worth of banknotes, but the officer remained hospitalised to receive stomach-related treatment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking to Blu Radio, the director of the Cundinamarca Prosecutor's Office, Carlos Manuel Silva, revealed that the uniformed officer swallowed "a 100,000 bill and eight 50,000-peso bills, totalling 500,000 pesos."</p>

<h2><strong>Notes of strong material</strong></h2>

<p>The local attorney's office emphasised the durability of paper money, stating that it is not easily digested.</p>

<p>"The material with which the bills are made is a strong material, it is paper money and it is not easily digested," said the director of the local attorney's office while talking to local reporters.</p>

<h2><strong>The meme fest</strong></h2>

<p>This audacious corruption incident has sparked a wave of memes online — many of them Simpsons-themed — mocking the officer's ill-fated attempt to evade justice.</p>

<p>Take a look at some of the best satirical memes:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Billetes: Existen<br />
Los policías más hambrientos: <a href="https://t.co/4tRBdnldrh">pic.twitter.com/4tRBdnldrh</a></p>
— Desinformadon't (@CIUDADANODEB1EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CIUDADANODEB1EN/status/1668712585359704064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Los simpsons predijeron a los tombos comebilletes: <a href="https://t.co/hiaRgzwqrx">pic.twitter.com/hiaRgzwqrx</a></p>
— Juan Manuel Oquendo Lopez 🇵🇸 🇪🇭☭🏴‍☠️ (@JuanMOquendoL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuanMOquendoL/status/1668680287180447745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">En el caso de los policías come billetes solo me queda por decir que cada quien ahorra como quiere.<br />
Los policías: <a href="https://t.co/tbDGwMFKc6">pic.twitter.com/tbDGwMFKc6</a></p>
— el gato con manos (@elgatoacuadros) <a href="https://twitter.com/elgatoacuadros/status/1668999279610920962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">"Debe estar pensando en otra."<br />
<br />
*¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? <a href="https://t.co/FEE3EQoti0">pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0</a></p>
— Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) <a href="https://twitter.com/danny8002/status/1668818463350231042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Y si es delito que me tenga que embutir el dinero de una extorsión para que no me sindiquen, me declaro culpable. <a href="https://t.co/1tyGapresA">pic.twitter.com/1tyGapresA</a></p>
— Mauricio Ruiz (@Maurici71529748) <a href="https://twitter.com/Maurici71529748/status/1669046174530039808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Eso Memes de los policías, comiéndose los billetes del soborno, jajajajajajaja Que Caja <a href="https://t.co/lqrjkEqov7">pic.twitter.com/lqrjkEqov7</a></p>
— Jhonny Melo (@JhonnyMelo2) <a href="https://twitter.com/JhonnyMelo2/status/1668998466251509760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">"Debe estar pensando en otra."<br />
<br />
*¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? <a href="https://t.co/FEE3EQoti0">pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0</a></p>
— Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) <a href="https://twitter.com/danny8002/status/1668818463350231042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>What will happen to the corrupt police officer?</strong></h2>

<p>As per Bogotá's Blu Radio, the officer and a colleague allegedly used false accusations of a sexual crime to force the business owner into coughing up a total of two&nbsp;million pesos.</p>

<p>Even though the victim managed to gather half of the demanded amount, the officer was unsatisfied and subsequently detained the individual at a police station for two hours in an attempt to extort the remaining funds.</p>

<p>Both officers are now the subject of a criminal investigation, according to the local prosecutor's office.</p>

<h2><strong>Colombia and corruption</strong></h2>

<p>The Guardian reports that corruption within Colombia's police force is a pervasive issue. This incident seems to have provided a twisted sense of pleasure to many extortion victims, who in the past have been forced to pay bribes to uniformed officers.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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In Colombia, a police officer had to be hospitalised after swallowing a wad of banknotes. The policeman reportedly did this to avoid getting caught in the middle of an extortion case.

In Colombia, a police officer had to be hospitalised after swallowing a wad of banknotes. The policeman reportedly did this to avoid getting caught in the middle of an extortion case. As per a report in The Guardian, in return for not arresting his victim on false charges, the police officer had demanded a bribe from a businessman. However, unknown to him, the businessman had already reported the shakedown to Colombia's anti-kidnapping and extortion unit. 'Hungry Hungry' Hippos police officer When anti-corruption investigators arrived at the scene of the shakedown in the suburb of Soacha near the capital, Bogotá, the officer hastily swallowed the cash in an attempt to destroy the evidence. Also read | Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash Was he successful in destroying evidence? No, unfortunately for him, the banknotes got lodged in his throat, obstructing his airways and sending him to the emergency room. Videos circulating online captured the pale-faced officer protesting his innocence while sitting in a police van after swallowing nine notes. In the video, the police officer can be seen visibly in discomfort, coughing to try to dislodge the notes stuck in his throat. #Policías acusados de #Extorsión a #Comerciantes se comen #Billetes para evitar #Cárcel en #Colombia 🫰🏻👮🏻‍♂️💸 Se realizó la captura y posterior legalización de dos patrulleros que estaban haciendo prácticas #Corruptas extorsionando a un comerciante de #Soacha.#FyP #Vídeo #Viral pic.twitter.com/Yd59pILnHm — ÉdGa®️ Bustillo (@edbusti) June 15, 2023 × Even as he recoils and gasps for breath, in the video, the officer can be heard saying: "I have received nothing, absolutely nothing, I don't know what they are talking about." Despite his pleas, the evidence against him was substantial. One anti-corruption officer can be heard stating, "We'll have to take him to the hospital to get him cleaned." Anti-corruption officers provided emergency medical assistance to the choking officer, who was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment. Also read | After record 100 days underwater, Florida's Dr Deep resurfaces. Here's why he achieved the amazing feat How much money did he swallow? Doctors were able to remove the 500,000 pesos (£95) worth of banknotes, but the officer remained hospitalised to receive stomach-related treatment. Talking to Blu Radio, the director of the Cundinamarca Prosecutor's Office, Carlos Manuel Silva, revealed that the uniformed officer swallowed "a 100,000 bill and eight 50,000-peso bills, totalling 500,000 pesos." Notes of strong material The local attorney's office emphasised the durability of paper money, stating that it is not easily digested. "The material with which the bills are made is a strong material, it is paper money and it is not easily digested," said the director of the local attorney's office while talking to local reporters. The meme fest This audacious corruption incident has sparked a wave of memes online — many of them Simpsons-themed — mocking the officer's ill-fated attempt to evade justice. Take a look at some of the best satirical memes: Billetes: Existen Los policías más hambrientos: pic.twitter.com/4tRBdnldrh — Desinformadon't (@CIUDADANODEB1EN) June 13, 2023 × Los simpsons predijeron a los tombos comebilletes: pic.twitter.com/hiaRgzwqrx — Juan Manuel Oquendo Lopez 🇵🇸 🇪🇭☭🏴‍☠️ (@JuanMOquendoL) June 13, 2023 × En el caso de los policías come billetes solo me queda por decir que cada quien ahorra como quiere. Los policías: pic.twitter.com/tbDGwMFKc6 — el gato con manos (@elgatoacuadros) June 14, 2023 × "Debe estar pensando en otra." *¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0 — Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) June 14, 2023 × Y si es delito que me tenga que embutir el dinero de una extorsión para que no me sindiquen, me declaro culpable. pic.twitter.com/1tyGapresA — Mauricio Ruiz (@Maurici71529748) June 14, 2023 × Eso Memes de los policías, comiéndose los billetes del soborno, jajajajajajaja Que Caja pic.twitter.com/lqrjkEqov7 — Jhonny Melo (@JhonnyMelo2) June 14, 2023 × "Debe estar pensando en otra." *¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0 — Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) June 14, 2023 × What will happen to the corrupt police officer? As per Bogotá's Blu Radio, the officer and a colleague allegedly used false accusations of a sexual crime to force the business owner into coughing up a total of two million pesos. Even though the victim managed to gather half of the demanded amount, the officer was unsatisfied and subsequently detained the individual at a police station for two hours in an attempt to extort the remaining funds. Both officers are now the subject of a criminal investigation, according to the local prosecutor's office. Colombia and corruption The Guardian reports that corruption within Colombia's police force is a pervasive issue. This incident seems to have provided a twisted sense of pleasure to many extortion victims, who in the past have been forced to pay bribes to uniformed officers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian police officer sparks meme fest after swallowing money he had extorted. Watch viral video here!

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<p>Rescue dog Wilson, who helped find four lost Indigenous children in the Colombian Amazon, has gone missing, according to a report by the news agency AFP early Wednesday (June 14). Dozens of soldiers are scouring the jungle for Wilson,&nbsp;a Belgian Shepherd aged six,&nbsp;who disappeared on duty two weeks ago, with the military vowing not to abandon him who may have found the children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On social media, Colombian citizens are seeking the return of the canine with hashtags #Let'sGoForWilson, #OneIsMissing and #WilsonNationalHero doing the rounds. The citizens have also pasted posters of "Missing Wilson" on the windows of their houses.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Over 70 soldiers remain deployed to find Wilson</strong></h2>

<p>In a statement, the Colombian army said more than 70 soldiers remained deployed in the dense jungle to find Wilson. General Pedro Sanchez, who headed the search for the children, said, "We're going for Wilson, we’re going to bring him back." The soldiers deployed in the search operation include Cristian David Lara, Wilson's handler since he was a puppy in training.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/tragic-first-words-spoken-by-children-who-survived-40-day-ordeal-in-colombian-jungle-revealed-603718">Tragic first words spoken by children who survived '40-day' ordeal in Colombian jungle revealed</a></strong></p>

<p>Last Friday (June 9), Lesly, Soleiny, Tien Noriel and Cristin - aged 13, nine, five and one -&nbsp;were rescued after wandering the Colombian Amazon for 40 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wilson was the one to find one-year-old Cristin's discarded baby bottle in the thick vegetation some four kilometres from the wreckage several days after the May 1 small aircraft crash that claimed the lives of all three adults on board, including the siblings' mother.</p>

<p>As weeks passed, a team of nearly 200 soldiers and Indigenous jungle experts accompanied by several dogs kept finding signs that the children were alive. Two weeks back, Wilson must have become "disoriented" and disappeared because of the complexity of the terrain, humidity and adverse weather conditions, the military said in a separate statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to AFP, evidence&nbsp;emerged that Wilson might have been the first to find the children as a dog's footprints were spotted near those of the children before the rescue team arrived.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Rescued children talk about a 'dog' they lost</strong></h2>

<p>Astrid Caceres, the director of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute overseeing the rescued children's convalescence, said they kept talking about a dog they lost. Lesly and Soleiny made a drawing of a dog next to a river and amidst trees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Caceres said that Lesley told the institute of a dog they lost, "that they didn't know where it went, that it had accompanied them for a while."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Wilson not equipped with GPS. Here's why</strong></h2>

<p>While GPS would have been proven useful to know Wilson's exact location, AFP reported that Wilson risked encountering members of armed groups in the Amazon who are fighting over drugs and other illegal commerce. General Pedro Sanchez said Wilson was not equipped with a GPS tracker to prevent "the enemy" from locating him and his human comrades.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Rescue dog Wilson, who helped find four lost Indigenous children in the Colombian Amazon, has gone missing, according to a report by the news agency AFP early Wednesday (June 14).

Rescue dog Wilson, who helped find four lost Indigenous children in the Colombian Amazon, has gone missing, according to a report by the news agency AFP early Wednesday (June 14). Dozens of soldiers are scouring the jungle for Wilson, a Belgian Shepherd aged six, who disappeared on duty two weeks ago, with the military vowing not to abandon him who may have found the children. On social media, Colombian citizens are seeking the return of the canine with hashtags #Let'sGoForWilson, #OneIsMissing and #WilsonNationalHero doing the rounds. The citizens have also pasted posters of "Missing Wilson" on the windows of their houses. Over 70 soldiers remain deployed to find Wilson In a statement, the Colombian army said more than 70 soldiers remained deployed in the dense jungle to find Wilson. General Pedro Sanchez, who headed the search for the children, said, "We're going for Wilson, we’re going to bring him back." The soldiers deployed in the search operation include Cristian David Lara, Wilson's handler since he was a puppy in training. Also read: Tragic first words spoken by children who survived '40-day' ordeal in Colombian jungle revealed Last Friday (June 9), Lesly, Soleiny, Tien Noriel and Cristin - aged 13, nine, five and one - were rescued after wandering the Colombian Amazon for 40 days. Wilson was the one to find one-year-old Cristin's discarded baby bottle in the thick vegetation some four kilometres from the wreckage several days after the May 1 small aircraft crash that claimed the lives of all three adults on board, including the siblings' mother. As weeks passed, a team of nearly 200 soldiers and Indigenous jungle experts accompanied by several dogs kept finding signs that the children were alive. Two weeks back, Wilson must have become "disoriented" and disappeared because of the complexity of the terrain, humidity and adverse weather conditions, the military said in a separate statement. According to AFP, evidence emerged that Wilson might have been the first to find the children as a dog's footprints were spotted near those of the children before the rescue team arrived. Rescued children talk about a 'dog' they lost Astrid Caceres, the director of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute overseeing the rescued children's convalescence, said they kept talking about a dog they lost. Lesly and Soleiny made a drawing of a dog next to a river and amidst trees. Caceres said that Lesley told the institute of a dog they lost, "that they didn't know where it went, that it had accompanied them for a while." Wilson not equipped with GPS. Here's why While GPS would have been proven useful to know Wilson's exact location, AFP reported that Wilson risked encountering members of armed groups in the Amazon who are fighting over drugs and other illegal commerce. General Pedro Sanchez said Wilson was not equipped with a GPS tracker to prevent "the enemy" from locating him and his human comrades. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rescue dog that helped find four lost children in Colombian Amazon goes missing

<p>Days after four Colombian miracle children were rescued after a 40-day ordeal in the unforgiving Amazon rainforest, the authorities have revealed the tragic first words they each muttered as help arrived for them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Upon being found by the search party, four-year-old Tien Noriel Ranoque Mucutuy&nbsp;said: “My mother is dead.”</p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;13-year-old Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, the eldest of the lot and responsible for keeping her siblings alive said,&nbsp;“I’m hungry.”</p>

<p>Lesly told her family from the hospital where she is currently admitted that her mother,&nbsp;Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive after the plane crash. She fought hard to survive for four days before eventually telling her children to leave her behind and asking&nbsp;Lesly to take care of her younger siblings.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-miracle-colombian-children-survive-40-days-in-amazon-603630"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Miracle! Colombian children survive 40 days in Amazon</strong></a></p>

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<p>According to grandfather Narciso Mucutuy, it was Lesly that pulled the youngest child, Cristin, from the plane after the crash and managed to protect her throughout the campaign.</p>

<p>“She saw the feet of her littlest sister where the three dead were and she pulled her out,” said&nbsp;Mucutuy.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What happened in the forest?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>During the early hours of May 1, a Cessna 206, carrying seven individuals from Araracuara in Amazonas province to San Jose del Guaviare in Guaviare province, issued a distress signal due to engine failure. While three adults, including the pilot and the mother, died, the children were left to fend for themselves.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their disappearance led to a massive military-led search operation in which more than one hundred Colombian special forces troops and 70 indigenous scouts scanned the deep forest.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/children-rescued-in-amazon-after-40-days-survived-on-cassava-flour-roots-603134"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Children rescued in Amazon after 40 days survived on cassava flour, roots</strong></a></p>

<p>According to the authorities, the four kids managed to use their Indigenous heritage and knowledge about the jungle to plot a survival plan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Days after the crash, they ate the farina which they had carried there… but they (eventually) ran out of food and decided to look for a place where they could stay alive. They were malnourished but fully conscious and lucid when we found them,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez Suarez, spokesperson of&nbsp;Colombian military special forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Their indigenous origins allowed them to acquire a certain immunity against diseases in the jungle and having knowledge of the jungle itself – knowing what to eat and what not to eat – as well as finding water kept them alive – which would not have been possible (if they) were not used to that type of hostile environment,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The story of the four kids, which included an infant surviving the hostile nature of the virgin Amazon for 40 days on the trot is making international news.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Days after four Colombian miracle children were rescued after a 40-day ordeal in the unforgiving Amazon rainforest, the authorities have revealed the tragic first words they each muttered as help arrived for them.

Days after four Colombian miracle children were rescued after a 40-day ordeal in the unforgiving Amazon rainforest, the authorities have revealed the tragic first words they each muttered as help arrived for them. Upon being found by the search party, four-year-old Tien Noriel Ranoque Mucutuy said: “My mother is dead.” Meanwhile, 13-year-old Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, the eldest of the lot and responsible for keeping her siblings alive said, “I’m hungry.” Lesly told her family from the hospital where she is currently admitted that her mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive after the plane crash. She fought hard to survive for four days before eventually telling her children to leave her behind and asking Lesly to take care of her younger siblings. WATCH | Gravitas: Miracle! Colombian children survive 40 days in Amazon × According to grandfather Narciso Mucutuy, it was Lesly that pulled the youngest child, Cristin, from the plane after the crash and managed to protect her throughout the campaign. “She saw the feet of her littlest sister where the three dead were and she pulled her out,” said Mucutuy. What happened in the forest? During the early hours of May 1, a Cessna 206, carrying seven individuals from Araracuara in Amazonas province to San Jose del Guaviare in Guaviare province, issued a distress signal due to engine failure. While three adults, including the pilot and the mother, died, the children were left to fend for themselves. Their disappearance led to a massive military-led search operation in which more than one hundred Colombian special forces troops and 70 indigenous scouts scanned the deep forest. Also read | Children rescued in Amazon after 40 days survived on cassava flour, roots According to the authorities, the four kids managed to use their Indigenous heritage and knowledge about the jungle to plot a survival plan. “Days after the crash, they ate the farina which they had carried there… but they (eventually) ran out of food and decided to look for a place where they could stay alive. They were malnourished but fully conscious and lucid when we found them,” said Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez Suarez, spokesperson of Colombian military special forces. “Their indigenous origins allowed them to acquire a certain immunity against diseases in the jungle and having knowledge of the jungle itself – knowing what to eat and what not to eat – as well as finding water kept them alive – which would not have been possible (if they) were not used to that type of hostile environment,” he added. The story of the four kids, which included an infant surviving the hostile nature of the virgin Amazon for 40 days on the trot is making international news. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Tragic first words spoken by children who survived '40-day' ordeal in Colombian jungle revealed

<p>Hello and Welcome. This is The Capitals.</p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/10/358347-new-wion-8.png?imwidth=1920" />Exhausted but happy and at peace, four indigenous children who had been missing for more than a month in the Colombian Amazon rainforest were reunited with their relatives in the Colombian capital Bogota this weekend, in a happy ending to a nerve-racking saga that gripped the nation.</p>

<p>The siblings, who had been wandering alone in the jungle after surviving a small plane crash that left their mother and two other adults dead, were discovered after an intense rescue operation involving sniffer dogs, helicopters and aircraft.</p>

<p>Looking thin and frail, the children were transported by army medical plane to a military hospital in Bogota.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They’ve given us an example of total survival that will go down in history," Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said.</p>

<h2><strong>Riyadh, Saudi Arabia</strong></h2>

<p>Iran reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia after a seven-year closure, after a Chinese-brokered rapprochement &nbsp;managed to redraw the region's diplomatic map.</p>

<p>The Iranian mission resumes in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter, near Syria's embassy, which is also expected to reopen soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus.</p>

<p>"We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli told a flag-raising ceremony.</p>

<p>"The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era."</p>

<p>That's all for The Capitals this week. See you next weekend.</p>

<h2><strong>Warsaw, Poland</strong></h2>

<p>Half a million protesters packed the streets of central Warsaw earlier this week making it one of the biggest anti-government demonstrations in the 30 years since the end of communism.</p>

<p>Lech Walesa, a former Polish president, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the fight against communism, joined opposition figures at the head of the march ahead of legislative elections in the autumn.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People travelled from across the country after former prime minister Donald Tusk, head of the centrist opposition party Civic Platform (PO), called for the protest against "the high cost of living, swindling and lying, and for democracy, free elections and the EU".</p>

<h2><strong>Vienna, Austria</strong></h2>

<p>In the Austrian capital, Saudi Arabia said that it will make a deep cut to its oil output in July. This is in addition to a broader OPEC+ deal to limit supply into 2024 as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries led by Russia sought to boost flagging oil prices.</p>

<p>Vienna headquarters the OPEC+ group.</p>

<p>Saudi's energy ministry said the country's output would drop to 9 million barrels per day (bpd) in July from around 10 million bpd in May, the biggest reduction in years."This is a Saudi lollipop," Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz told a news conference. "We wanted to ice the cake. We always want to add suspense. We don't want people to try to predict what we do... This market needs stabilisation".</p>

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Hello and Welcome. This is The Capitals. Exhausted but happy and at peace, four indigenous children who had been missing for more than a month in the Colombian Amazon rainforest were reunited with their relatives in the Colombian capital Bogota this weekend, in a happy ending to a nerve-racking saga that gripped the nation.

Hello and Welcome. This is The Capitals. Exhausted but happy and at peace, four indigenous children who had been missing for more than a month in the Colombian Amazon rainforest were reunited with their relatives in the Colombian capital Bogota this weekend, in a happy ending to a nerve-racking saga that gripped the nation. The siblings, who had been wandering alone in the jungle after surviving a small plane crash that left their mother and two other adults dead, were discovered after an intense rescue operation involving sniffer dogs, helicopters and aircraft. Looking thin and frail, the children were transported by army medical plane to a military hospital in Bogota. "They’ve given us an example of total survival that will go down in history," Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Iran reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia after a seven-year closure, after a Chinese-brokered rapprochement managed to redraw the region's diplomatic map. The Iranian mission resumes in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter, near Syria's embassy, which is also expected to reopen soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus. "We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli told a flag-raising ceremony. "The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era." That's all for The Capitals this week. See you next weekend. Warsaw, Poland Half a million protesters packed the streets of central Warsaw earlier this week making it one of the biggest anti-government demonstrations in the 30 years since the end of communism. Lech Walesa, a former Polish president, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the fight against communism, joined opposition figures at the head of the march ahead of legislative elections in the autumn. People travelled from across the country after former prime minister Donald Tusk, head of the centrist opposition party Civic Platform (PO), called for the protest against "the high cost of living, swindling and lying, and for democracy, free elections and the EU". Vienna, Austria In the Austrian capital, Saudi Arabia said that it will make a deep cut to its oil output in July. This is in addition to a broader OPEC+ deal to limit supply into 2024 as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries led by Russia sought to boost flagging oil prices. Vienna headquarters the OPEC+ group. Saudi's energy ministry said the country's output would drop to 9 million barrels per day (bpd) in July from around 10 million bpd in May, the biggest reduction in years."This is a Saudi lollipop," Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz told a news conference. "We wanted to ice the cake. We always want to add suspense. We don't want people to try to predict what we do... This market needs stabilisation". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Capitals: Bogota's great Amazon miracle, Riyadh's oil games in Vienna and more

In Pics | Four children missing for 40 days after plane crash in Amazon jungle found alive

<p>After more than five weeks since their plane crashed in a dense jungle, four children from an Indigenous community in Colombia have been miraculously found&nbsp;alive in the southern part of the country. The siblings were rescued by the military near the border between Colombia's Caqueta and Guaviare provinces, close to the crash site of the small aircraft.</p>

<h2><strong>The plane crash</strong></h2>

<p>During the early hours of May 1, a Cessna 206, carrying seven individuals from Araracuara in Amazonas province to San Jose del Guaviare in Guaviare province, issued a distress signal due to engine failure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Three adults, including the pilot and the children's mother Magdalena Mucutuy, lost their lives in the crash and were found deceased inside the plane. However, the four siblings — three girls and one boy, aged 13, 9, 4, and a baby who is now 12 months old, managed to survive the impact.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-searching-amazon-for-missing-plane-crash-passengers-593280">Colombia searching Amazon for missing plane crash passengers</a></strong></p>

<p>Narcizo Mucutuy, the grandfather of the four children, expressed his joy upon hearing about the rescue of his grandchildren. Talking to reporters, he said, "As the grandfather to my grandchildren who went missing in the jungles of the Yari, at this moment I am very happy."</p>

<h2><strong>A joy for the whole country</strong></h2>

<p>Photographs shared by the Colombian military depict a group of soldiers standing with the four children in the heart of the jungle.</p>

<p>Colombian President Gustavo Petro&nbsp;shared his excitement about the news via Twitter. He wrote: "A joy for the whole country! The four children who were lost in the Colombian jungle appeared alive."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">¡Una alegría para todo el país! Aparecieron con vida los 4 niños que estaban perdidos hace 40 días en la selva colombiana. <a href="https://t.co/cvADdLbCpm">pic.twitter.com/cvADdLbCpm</a></p>
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) <a href="https://twitter.com/petrogustavo/status/1667319759589847042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Previously, on May 17, Petro had prematurely reported the discovery of the children in a now-deleted tweet. He later explained that the information was unverified.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-president-retracts-claim-children-found-after-plane-crash-593881">Colombia president retracts claim children found after plane crash</a></strong></p>

<p>However, during a press briefing on Friday, he confirmed their rescue and mentioned that the children had managed to fend for themselves in the middle of the jungle. He said, "They were together, they are weak, let's let the doctors assess them. They found them, it makes me very happy."</p>

<h2><strong>How did rescue teams find the kids&nbsp;after more than a month in the thick jungle?</strong></h2>

<p>As per Reuters, rescue teams, with the assistance of search dogs, had previously discovered discarded fruits that the children had consumed to survive. They also came across improvised shelters crafted from jungle vegetation.</p>

<p>The rescue operations also involved the participation of aeroplanes and helicopters from Colombia's army and air force.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)<br />
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After more than five weeks since their plane crashed in a dense jungle, four children from an Indigenous community in Colombia have been miraculously found alive in the southern part of the country.

After more than five weeks since their plane crashed in a dense jungle, four children from an Indigenous community in Colombia have been miraculously found alive in the southern part of the country. The siblings were rescued by the military near the border between Colombia's Caqueta and Guaviare provinces, close to the crash site of the small aircraft. The plane crash During the early hours of May 1, a Cessna 206, carrying seven individuals from Araracuara in Amazonas province to San Jose del Guaviare in Guaviare province, issued a distress signal due to engine failure. Three adults, including the pilot and the children's mother Magdalena Mucutuy, lost their lives in the crash and were found deceased inside the plane. However, the four siblings — three girls and one boy, aged 13, 9, 4, and a baby who is now 12 months old, managed to survive the impact. Also read | Colombia searching Amazon for missing plane crash passengers Narcizo Mucutuy, the grandfather of the four children, expressed his joy upon hearing about the rescue of his grandchildren. Talking to reporters, he said, "As the grandfather to my grandchildren who went missing in the jungles of the Yari, at this moment I am very happy." A joy for the whole country Photographs shared by the Colombian military depict a group of soldiers standing with the four children in the heart of the jungle. Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared his excitement about the news via Twitter. He wrote: "A joy for the whole country! The four children who were lost in the Colombian jungle appeared alive." ¡Una alegría para todo el país! Aparecieron con vida los 4 niños que estaban perdidos hace 40 días en la selva colombiana. pic.twitter.com/cvADdLbCpm — Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) June 9, 2023 × Previously, on May 17, Petro had prematurely reported the discovery of the children in a now-deleted tweet. He later explained that the information was unverified. Also read | Colombia president retracts claim children found after plane crash However, during a press briefing on Friday, he confirmed their rescue and mentioned that the children had managed to fend for themselves in the middle of the jungle. He said, "They were together, they are weak, let's let the doctors assess them. They found them, it makes me very happy." How did rescue teams find the kids after more than a month in the thick jungle? As per Reuters, rescue teams, with the assistance of search dogs, had previously discovered discarded fruits that the children had consumed to survive. They also came across improvised shelters crafted from jungle vegetation. The rescue operations also involved the participation of aeroplanes and helicopters from Colombia's army and air force. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash

<p>"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed.</p>

<p>Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has&nbsp;left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children.</p>

<p>Carlos is not his real name -- the grower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from armed groups operating near his farm in Llorente in Colombia's southern Narino department, where increasing numbers of small-scale coca producers worry where their next meal will come from.</p>

<p>Their hands covered in scratches, groups of "raspachines" or expert coca pickers, advance at great speed through the sea of green crops in Llorente.</p>

<p>Once harvested, the coca leaves reach Carlos, who cooks them, along with a mixture of chemicals, on a small stove until they yield a white substance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cultivating his two hectares had cost him about $660, Carlos told AFP, and normally he would be able to sell the product for about $4,000.</p>

<p>But with a dip in demand and historically low prices, he has so far sold only $154's worth. At the end of the trading chain, the cocaine made with his paste would be worth millions.</p>

<p>"Prices are (very) bad," Carlos told AFP in his small, makeshift lab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The only option is to keep it (the paste)," in the hopes that prices, and demand, will pick up.</p>

<h2><strong>Illegal, but crucial&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Experts say the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, an "overproduction" of coca, changing consumer habits and several recent blows to Colombia's powerful drug cartels could all be contributing to the price drop.</p>

<p>Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine -- of which coca is the main ingredient -- and the United States its biggest buyer.</p>

<p>Coca cultivation is illegal, but a mainstay for many in the South American country of 50 million people.</p>

<p>Some 250,000 Colombian families depend on coca for a living -- about 1.5 per cent of the population, according to official figures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All along the country's Pacific coast, however, coca growers have seen their incomes plummet since the beginning of the year.</p>

<p>The region, under the yoke of armed and violent dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, is where about 44 per cent of Colombia's 204,000 hectares of coca was grown in 2021, according to the UN.</p>

<p>"At this time, the coca economy is not yielding a lot to survive on," grower Nilson Solis told AFP among his crops outside the town of Olaya Herrera, also near the Pacific coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Residents say the price for a kilogram of coca paste has dropped from about $695 to $440 in just a few months.</p>

<h2><strong>'Not a lot'</strong></h2>

<p>It appears ironic that growers are struggling: Colombia broke its own record of land under coca cultivation two years ago, according to the latest available UN report.</p>

<p>Colombian government official Felipe Tascon said rising conflict between drug cartels and other armed groups fighting over resources and terrain may have made it more difficult to move product.</p>

<p>Julian Quintero, head of an NGO working to reduce risk from psychoactive drug use, said "overproduction" is also likely contributing to the drop in demand.</p>

<p>Coca has ever more "alkalinity and yield," which means less of it is needed to produce cocaine, he said.</p>

<p>And Rival drugs such as ecstasy are gaining ground among younger pleasure seekers, Quintero added.</p>

<p>Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro visited Olaya Herrera this month, where he met community leaders and speculated that lower demand may also have to do "with the fact that Americans have changed their consumption, their tastes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, more powerful and addictive than cocaine, are proliferating in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Petro has criticised the US-led "war on drugs" that has criminalised and impoverished rural Colombians, and has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade.</p>

<p>He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, farmers like Solis are looking for alternatives as hunger stares more and more coca growers in the face. He is considering taking up illegal logging.</p>

<p>"When we take stock, we have nothing left," he told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Barely enough to buy a pound of rice and a little oil."</p>

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"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed. Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children.

"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed. Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children. Carlos is not his real name -- the grower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from armed groups operating near his farm in Llorente in Colombia's southern Narino department, where increasing numbers of small-scale coca producers worry where their next meal will come from. Their hands covered in scratches, groups of "raspachines" or expert coca pickers, advance at great speed through the sea of green crops in Llorente. Once harvested, the coca leaves reach Carlos, who cooks them, along with a mixture of chemicals, on a small stove until they yield a white substance. Cultivating his two hectares had cost him about $660, Carlos told AFP, and normally he would be able to sell the product for about $4,000. But with a dip in demand and historically low prices, he has so far sold only $154's worth. At the end of the trading chain, the cocaine made with his paste would be worth millions. "Prices are (very) bad," Carlos told AFP in his small, makeshift lab. "The only option is to keep it (the paste)," in the hopes that prices, and demand, will pick up. Illegal, but crucial Experts say the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, an "overproduction" of coca, changing consumer habits and several recent blows to Colombia's powerful drug cartels could all be contributing to the price drop. Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine -- of which coca is the main ingredient -- and the United States its biggest buyer. Coca cultivation is illegal, but a mainstay for many in the South American country of 50 million people. Some 250,000 Colombian families depend on coca for a living -- about 1.5 per cent of the population, according to official figures. All along the country's Pacific coast, however, coca growers have seen their incomes plummet since the beginning of the year. The region, under the yoke of armed and violent dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, is where about 44 per cent of Colombia's 204,000 hectares of coca was grown in 2021, according to the UN. "At this time, the coca economy is not yielding a lot to survive on," grower Nilson Solis told AFP among his crops outside the town of Olaya Herrera, also near the Pacific coast. Residents say the price for a kilogram of coca paste has dropped from about $695 to $440 in just a few months. 'Not a lot' It appears ironic that growers are struggling: Colombia broke its own record of land under coca cultivation two years ago, according to the latest available UN report. Colombian government official Felipe Tascon said rising conflict between drug cartels and other armed groups fighting over resources and terrain may have made it more difficult to move product. Julian Quintero, head of an NGO working to reduce risk from psychoactive drug use, said "overproduction" is also likely contributing to the drop in demand. Coca has ever more "alkalinity and yield," which means less of it is needed to produce cocaine, he said. And Rival drugs such as ecstasy are gaining ground among younger pleasure seekers, Quintero added. Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro visited Olaya Herrera this month, where he met community leaders and speculated that lower demand may also have to do "with the fact that Americans have changed their consumption, their tastes." Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, more powerful and addictive than cocaine, are proliferating in the United States. Petro has criticised the US-led "war on drugs" that has criminalised and impoverished rural Colombians, and has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade. He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living. Meanwhile, farmers like Solis are looking for alternatives as hunger stares more and more coca growers in the face. He is considering taking up illegal logging. "When we take stock, we have nothing left," he told AFP. "Barely enough to buy a pound of rice and a little oil." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers

<p><strong>Colombian President Gustavo Petro </strong>has announced the suspension of a truce with leftist guerrillas in four flashpoint regions of the country. This decision comes in response to the killing of four Indigenous children by rebel forces. Petro declared that the bilateral ceasefire would be suspended, and all offensive operations would be reactivated in the Meta, Caqueta, Guaviare, and Putumayo regions.</p>

<p>The victims, who belonged to the Murui Indigenous community, were executed in southern Colombia by dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). These dissident factions had refused to join the 2016 peace accord, which resulted in the disarmament of most FARC rebels and the formation of a communist political party. The four regions where the ceasefire has been suspended are known strongholds of these dissident guerrillas.</p>

<h2><strong>Rebel groups decry Petro’s decision</strong></h2>

<p>The decision to suspend the truce was met with a scathing response from the rebel group Estado Mayor Central. In a statement sent to the media, they criticised the government's action, warning that the suspension of the ceasefire would lead to an escalation of violence and a rise in casualties.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Landslide in Colombia: At least three dead and several missing</strong></p>

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<p>According to the country's human rights ombudsman, the four Murui minors were executed on the border between Caqueta and Amazonas after defecting from a dissident faction of FARC known as the Carolina Ramirez front. This front, belonging to the Estado Mayor Central, had recently agreed to a ceasefire proposed by the government and was preparing to engage in new peace talks.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-president-retracts-claim-children-found-after-plane-crash-593881"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;Colombia president retracts claim children found after plane crash</strong></a></p>

<p>The human rights ombudsman emphasised the gravity of the situation, highlighting that recruiting and killing children and adolescents from Indigenous communities are clear violations of international humanitarian law. The ombudsman condemned these acts as lacking goodwill in the pursuit of peace.</p>

<h2><strong>President Petro in no mood to back off</strong></h2>

<p>President Petro strongly denounced the murders as an atrocious crime and a setback to the peace process. He vowed to take measures against these actions. Petro had previously initiated bilateral ceasefires with several armed groups, but three of these truces have now ended due to the breakdown of the peace process with the National Liberation Army guerrillas and the Gulf Clan drug traffickers.</p>

<p>Petro's approach to negotiating peace with armed groups has faced criticism from the opposition, who accuse the government of being too weak in preventing armed groups from dictating the terms of peace. The Estado Mayor Central also blamed the government for its failure to establish mechanisms to verify compliance with the ceasefire.</p>

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced the suspension of a truce with leftist guerrillas in four flashpoint regions of the country. This decision comes in response to the killing of four Indigenous children by rebel forces.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced the suspension of a truce with leftist guerrillas in four flashpoint regions of the country. This decision comes in response to the killing of four Indigenous children by rebel forces. Petro declared that the bilateral ceasefire would be suspended, and all offensive operations would be reactivated in the Meta, Caqueta, Guaviare, and Putumayo regions. The victims, who belonged to the Murui Indigenous community, were executed in southern Colombia by dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). These dissident factions had refused to join the 2016 peace accord, which resulted in the disarmament of most FARC rebels and the formation of a communist political party. The four regions where the ceasefire has been suspended are known strongholds of these dissident guerrillas. Rebel groups decry Petro’s decision The decision to suspend the truce was met with a scathing response from the rebel group Estado Mayor Central. In a statement sent to the media, they criticised the government's action, warning that the suspension of the ceasefire would lead to an escalation of violence and a rise in casualties. Watch: WION Climate Tracker | Landslide in Colombia: At least three dead and several missing × According to the country's human rights ombudsman, the four Murui minors were executed on the border between Caqueta and Amazonas after defecting from a dissident faction of FARC known as the Carolina Ramirez front. This front, belonging to the Estado Mayor Central, had recently agreed to a ceasefire proposed by the government and was preparing to engage in new peace talks. Also Read | Colombia president retracts claim children found after plane crash The human rights ombudsman emphasised the gravity of the situation, highlighting that recruiting and killing children and adolescents from Indigenous communities are clear violations of international humanitarian law. The ombudsman condemned these acts as lacking goodwill in the pursuit of peace. President Petro in no mood to back off President Petro strongly denounced the murders as an atrocious crime and a setback to the peace process. He vowed to take measures against these actions. Petro had previously initiated bilateral ceasefires with several armed groups, but three of these truces have now ended due to the breakdown of the peace process with the National Liberation Army guerrillas and the Gulf Clan drug traffickers. Petro's approach to negotiating peace with armed groups has faced criticism from the opposition, who accuse the government of being too weak in preventing armed groups from dictating the terms of peace. The Estado Mayor Central also blamed the government for its failure to establish mechanisms to verify compliance with the ceasefire. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Colombia suspends truce with armed leftists after killing of four Indigenous children

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<p>Colombian&nbsp;President Gustavo Petro on Thursday retracted his claim that four Indigenous children missing for more than two weeks after an airplane crash in the Amazon had been found alive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Writing on Twitter, Petro said he had deleted his tweet from Wednesday night in which he had announced the rescue of the four children, including an 11-month-old baby.</p>

<p>"I am sorry for what happened. The military forces and Indigenous communities will continue in their tireless search to give the country the news it is waiting for," he said.</p>

<p>More than 100 soldiers have been deployed with sniffer dogs to search for the minors who were travelling in an airplane that crashed on May 1, leaving three adults including the pilot and the children's mother dead.</p>

<p>Rescuers believe the children -- who in addition to the 11-month-old include a 13, nine and four-year-old -- have been wandering through the jungle in the southern Caqueta department since the crash.</p>

<p>"At this time there is no other priority other than progressing with the search until finding them," added Petro. "The children's lives are the most important thing."</p>

<p>Petro's stunning announcement on Wednesday had been met with uncertainty as he gave no details about where or how the children had been rescued, nor how they had survived alone in the jungle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Joy for the country," he had declared.</p>

<p>Amid widespread confusion, the military has not commented since Petro's announcement on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The children's grandmother, Fidencio Valencia said there was hope that they would be found alive since "they are used to being in the jungle."</p>

<p>She said they might be hiding out of fear but she told the Caracol Noticias television newscast that "Indigenous energy" would help the rescuers locate them.</p>

<h2><strong>Signs of survival&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The government's Institute of Family Welfare said that it had on Wednesday received "information from the territory confirming contact with the four children."</p>

<p>It said the report indicated that "they had been found alive and are also in good health."</p>

<p>However, the agency acknowledged that the military had not been able to "establish official contact" due to bad weather and difficult terrain, and were continuing search and rescue operations.</p>

<p>Avianline Charters, owner of the crashed aircraft, had previously said that one of its pilots in the search area was told the children had been found and that they were being taken by boat downriver.</p>

<p>But the company also said that there was no confirmation that the children were out of danger, and thunderstorms posed a risk to them reaching safety.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, the armed forces had said their search efforts intensified after rescuers came across a "shelter built in an improvised way with sticks and branches," leading them to believe there were survivors.</p>

<p>In photographs released by the military, scissors, shoes, and hair ties could be seen among branches on the jungle floor.</p>

<p>A baby's drinking bottle and half-eaten pieces of fruit had been spotted before the shelter's discovery.</p>

<p>On Monday and Tuesday, soldiers found the bodies of the pilot and two adults who had been flying from a jungle location to San Jose del Guaviare, one of the main cities in Colombia's east where grasslands give way to Amazon rainforest.</p>

<h2><strong>Difficult access&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Giant trees that can grow up to 40 meters tall and heavy rainfall made the "Operation Hope" search difficult.</p>

<p>Three helicopters were used to help, one of which blasted out a recorded message from the children's grandmother in their native Huitoto language telling them to stop moving through the jungle.</p>

<p>Authorities have not indicated what caused the plane crash.</p>

<p>The pilot had reported problems with the engine just minutes before the airplane disappeared from radars, Colombia's disaster response body said.</p>

<p>It is a region with few roads and is also difficult to access by river, so airplane transport is common.</p>

<p>The children are from the Indigenous Huitoto community, also spelled Witoto, who are known for living in harmony with the jungle.</p>

<p>The community develops skills in hunting, fishing and gathering, which may have helped the children to survive.</p>

<p>Exploitation, disease and assimilation have reduced the Huitoto population sharply over many decades.</p>

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday retracted his claim that four Indigenous children missing for more than two weeks after an airplane crash in the Amazon had been found alive.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday retracted his claim that four Indigenous children missing for more than two weeks after an airplane crash in the Amazon had been found alive. Writing on Twitter, Petro said he had deleted his tweet from Wednesday night in which he had announced the rescue of the four children, including an 11-month-old baby. "I am sorry for what happened. The military forces and Indigenous communities will continue in their tireless search to give the country the news it is waiting for," he said. More than 100 soldiers have been deployed with sniffer dogs to search for the minors who were travelling in an airplane that crashed on May 1, leaving three adults including the pilot and the children's mother dead. Rescuers believe the children -- who in addition to the 11-month-old include a 13, nine and four-year-old -- have been wandering through the jungle in the southern Caqueta department since the crash. "At this time there is no other priority other than progressing with the search until finding them," added Petro. "The children's lives are the most important thing." Petro's stunning announcement on Wednesday had been met with uncertainty as he gave no details about where or how the children had been rescued, nor how they had survived alone in the jungle. "Joy for the country," he had declared. Amid widespread confusion, the military has not commented since Petro's announcement on Wednesday. The children's grandmother, Fidencio Valencia said there was hope that they would be found alive since "they are used to being in the jungle." She said they might be hiding out of fear but she told the Caracol Noticias television newscast that "Indigenous energy" would help the rescuers locate them. Signs of survival The government's Institute of Family Welfare said that it had on Wednesday received "information from the territory confirming contact with the four children." It said the report indicated that "they had been found alive and are also in good health." However, the agency acknowledged that the military had not been able to "establish official contact" due to bad weather and difficult terrain, and were continuing search and rescue operations. Avianline Charters, owner of the crashed aircraft, had previously said that one of its pilots in the search area was told the children had been found and that they were being taken by boat downriver. But the company also said that there was no confirmation that the children were out of danger, and thunderstorms posed a risk to them reaching safety. On Wednesday, the armed forces had said their search efforts intensified after rescuers came across a "shelter built in an improvised way with sticks and branches," leading them to believe there were survivors. In photographs released by the military, scissors, shoes, and hair ties could be seen among branches on the jungle floor. A baby's drinking bottle and half-eaten pieces of fruit had been spotted before the shelter's discovery. On Monday and Tuesday, soldiers found the bodies of the pilot and two adults who had been flying from a jungle location to San Jose del Guaviare, one of the main cities in Colombia's east where grasslands give way to Amazon rainforest. Difficult access Giant trees that can grow up to 40 meters tall and heavy rainfall made the "Operation Hope" search difficult. Three helicopters were used to help, one of which blasted out a recorded message from the children's grandmother in their native Huitoto language telling them to stop moving through the jungle. Authorities have not indicated what caused the plane crash. The pilot had reported problems with the engine just minutes before the airplane disappeared from radars, Colombia's disaster response body said. It is a region with few roads and is also difficult to access by river, so airplane transport is common. The children are from the Indigenous Huitoto community, also spelled Witoto, who are known for living in harmony with the jungle. The community develops skills in hunting, fishing and gathering, which may have helped the children to survive. Exploitation, disease and assimilation have reduced the Huitoto population sharply over many decades. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia president retracts claim children found after plane crash

<p>An intense rescue effort was underway Tuesday to find six passengers, including four children, who have disappeared since the small plane they were traveling in crashed in the Amazon,&nbsp;Colombia's aviation authority said.</p>

<p>The airplane disappeared from radars on May 1 during a journey over the Amazon rainforest in the southern Caqueta department, the Civil Aviation authority said in a statement.</p>

<p>Rescuers found one dead body "inside the aircraft" on Monday but the "six other passengers, including four children, were not found in the airplane nor the surrounding area," the statement added.</p>

<p>Avianline Charter, the company that operated the commercial flight, confirmed the dead body was of the pilot.</p>

<p>The army published photos on Twitter of the plane wedged vertically into thick vegetation with its nose crushed into the ground.</p>

<p>The airplane had left from a jungle location on May 1 heading for San Jose del Guaviare, one of the main cities in&nbsp;Colombia's Amazon rainforest, when it disappeared from radars.</p>

<p>Authorities have yet to determine the reasons for the crash but rescuers have already spent hundreds of hours searching for the missing passengers.</p>

<p>Soldiers and Indigenous communities living close to the crash site have found personal belongings and even a partly eaten apple, leading to the belief that there must have been survivors walking somewhere in the remote jungle area.</p>

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An intense rescue effort was underway Tuesday to find six passengers, including four children, who have disappeared since the small plane they were traveling in crashed in the Amazon, Colombia's aviation authority said.

An intense rescue effort was underway Tuesday to find six passengers, including four children, who have disappeared since the small plane they were traveling in crashed in the Amazon, Colombia's aviation authority said. The airplane disappeared from radars on May 1 during a journey over the Amazon rainforest in the southern Caqueta department, the Civil Aviation authority said in a statement. Rescuers found one dead body "inside the aircraft" on Monday but the "six other passengers, including four children, were not found in the airplane nor the surrounding area," the statement added. Avianline Charter, the company that operated the commercial flight, confirmed the dead body was of the pilot. The army published photos on Twitter of the plane wedged vertically into thick vegetation with its nose crushed into the ground. The airplane had left from a jungle location on May 1 heading for San Jose del Guaviare, one of the main cities in Colombia's Amazon rainforest, when it disappeared from radars. Authorities have yet to determine the reasons for the crash but rescuers have already spent hundreds of hours searching for the missing passengers. Soldiers and Indigenous communities living close to the crash site have found personal belongings and even a partly eaten apple, leading to the belief that there must have been survivors walking somewhere in the remote jungle area. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia searching Amazon for missing plane crash passengers

<p>Colombian leftwing guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) warned on Monday (May 15) that peace talks with the government were in crisis because of the comments made by President Gustavo Petro, the news agency Reuters reported. In a statement, the ELN said, "The peace talks cannot be subject to the fluctuations in the public statements of the president." The ELN added that negotiations entered into a crisis and clarity was needed from the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"....clarity is needed from the government so that the path towards peace is cleared and so that we might speak in plain language to the country and the world," Monday's statement further said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ELN's remarks show the most recent setback to negotiations, which Colombian President Petro started last year as part of efforts to end the guerrilla group's role in the country's almost 60 years of conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombian-navy-intercepts-largest-ever-narco-submarine-in-history-with-three-tonnes-of-cocaine-592332">Colombian Navy intercepts ‘largest ever’ narco-submarine in history with three tonnes of cocaine</a></strong></p>

<p>But the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire during a third round of talks that began in Havana this month.</p>

<p>Responding to the ELN, the government said on Monday "It's imperative for us to answer to (affected) communities and establish ... a cessation of hostilities between all parties in the conflict, protection measures for civilians, and the participation of civil society as key pillars."</p>

<p>Earlier, President Petro proposed a regional ceasefire to ELN guerillas pointing out that peace in Colombia today was more important than anything else.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I propose that we work seriously on a ceasefire, that they stop killing each other, and that we stop killing each other," Petro added.&nbsp;<br />
Hitting back at the president, the ELN said that his comments were "stigmatising and disrespectful," and accused him of throwing into question the "entire architecture" of the peace talks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ELN was founded in 1964 by radical catholic priests and has 5,850 members. According to the government, the group finances itself through drug trafficking, illegal mining, and kidnapping.</p>

<p>Negotiations with the ELN under previous governments faltered on the group's diffuse chain of command and dissent within its ranks.</p>

<p><em><strong>(With inputs from agencies)</strong></em></p>

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Colombian leftwing guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) warned on Monday (May 15) that peace talks with the government were in crisis because of the comments made by President Gustavo Petro, the news agency Reuters reported.

Colombian leftwing guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) warned on Monday (May 15) that peace talks with the government were in crisis because of the comments made by President Gustavo Petro, the news agency Reuters reported. In a statement, the ELN said, "The peace talks cannot be subject to the fluctuations in the public statements of the president." The ELN added that negotiations entered into a crisis and clarity was needed from the government. "....clarity is needed from the government so that the path towards peace is cleared and so that we might speak in plain language to the country and the world," Monday's statement further said. The ELN's remarks show the most recent setback to negotiations, which Colombian President Petro started last year as part of efforts to end the guerrilla group's role in the country's almost 60 years of conflict. ALSO READ | Colombian Navy intercepts ‘largest ever’ narco-submarine in history with three tonnes of cocaine But the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire during a third round of talks that began in Havana this month. Responding to the ELN, the government said on Monday "It's imperative for us to answer to (affected) communities and establish ... a cessation of hostilities between all parties in the conflict, protection measures for civilians, and the participation of civil society as key pillars." Earlier, President Petro proposed a regional ceasefire to ELN guerillas pointing out that peace in Colombia today was more important than anything else. "I propose that we work seriously on a ceasefire, that they stop killing each other, and that we stop killing each other," Petro added. Hitting back at the president, the ELN said that his comments were "stigmatising and disrespectful," and accused him of throwing into question the "entire architecture" of the peace talks. The ELN was founded in 1964 by radical catholic priests and has 5,850 members. According to the government, the group finances itself through drug trafficking, illegal mining, and kidnapping. Negotiations with the ELN under previous governments faltered on the group's diffuse chain of command and dissent within its ranks. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Peace talks with Colombian govt in crisis because...': ELN guerrilla group

<p>Senior Biden administration officials revealed on&nbsp;Thursday that the United States will build regional processing centres for migrants in Colombia and Guatemala in a move to curb arrivals at the southern border once a pandemic-era provision expires next month.</p>

<p>According to officials on a conference call with reporters, the government is also in talks with more Latin American countries and may announce new processing centres in the coming weeks. Migrants will be screened at the centres for eligibility under the US&nbsp;Refugee Admissions Programme and other humanitarian and labour avenues.</p>

<p>As per the&nbsp;Biden administration officials, Spain and Canada will accept recommendations from the regional centres.</p>

<p>“Migration affects every country in the region,” a senior official told Los Angeles Times.&nbsp;“No one country can provide solutions for millions of displaced people on its own.”</p>

<p>The announcement comes two weeks before the scheduled expiration of Title 42 orders, which were put in place during the COVID-19 outbreak and banned migrants from obtaining asylum, allowing border officers to quickly return many of them to Mexico.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-beat-bts-to-capitol-hill-south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-addresses-us-congress-586792">&nbsp;'I beat BTS to Capitol Hill!' South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses US Congress</a></p>

<p>When Title 42 orders are lifted on May 11, immigration officers will resume processing persons under the long-established jurisdiction of Title 8. Deportations under Title 8 have harsher penalties, including possible criminal prosecution and a five-year ban on readmission.</p>

<p>According to an official, the Department of Homeland Security would significantly boost the use of expedited removal to process migrants' petitions for relief within days. US Customs and Border Protection has built phone booths and peaceful locations to border facilities to facilitate attorney calls and asylum interviews.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jack-teixeira-researched-mass-shootings-talked-of-culling-the-weak-prosecutors-say-586701">Jack Teixeira: Pentagon leaker 'researched mass shootings, talked of culling the weak'</a></p>

<p>The administration will increase the number of available appointments through the CBP One mobile&nbsp;application. As per&nbsp;the official, it would also launch a family reunion programme for persons from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as include Colombians, as well as update existing reunification programmes for those from Cuba and Haiti.</p>

<p>For the past year, officials at the Department of Homeland Security have been preparing to phase out Title 42 orders.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Senior Biden administration officials revealed on Thursday that the United States will build regional processing centres for migrants in Colombia and Guatemala in a move to curb arrivals at the southern border once a pandemic-era provision expires next month.

Senior Biden administration officials revealed on Thursday that the United States will build regional processing centres for migrants in Colombia and Guatemala in a move to curb arrivals at the southern border once a pandemic-era provision expires next month. According to officials on a conference call with reporters, the government is also in talks with more Latin American countries and may announce new processing centres in the coming weeks. Migrants will be screened at the centres for eligibility under the US Refugee Admissions Programme and other humanitarian and labour avenues. As per the Biden administration officials, Spain and Canada will accept recommendations from the regional centres. “Migration affects every country in the region,” a senior official told Los Angeles Times. “No one country can provide solutions for millions of displaced people on its own.” The announcement comes two weeks before the scheduled expiration of Title 42 orders, which were put in place during the COVID-19 outbreak and banned migrants from obtaining asylum, allowing border officers to quickly return many of them to Mexico. ALSO READ | 'I beat BTS to Capitol Hill!' South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses US Congress When Title 42 orders are lifted on May 11, immigration officers will resume processing persons under the long-established jurisdiction of Title 8. Deportations under Title 8 have harsher penalties, including possible criminal prosecution and a five-year ban on readmission. According to an official, the Department of Homeland Security would significantly boost the use of expedited removal to process migrants' petitions for relief within days. US Customs and Border Protection has built phone booths and peaceful locations to border facilities to facilitate attorney calls and asylum interviews. ALSO READ | Jack Teixeira: Pentagon leaker 'researched mass shootings, talked of culling the weak' The administration will increase the number of available appointments through the CBP One mobile application. As per the official, it would also launch a family reunion programme for persons from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as include Colombians, as well as update existing reunification programmes for those from Cuba and Haiti. For the past year, officials at the Department of Homeland Security have been preparing to phase out Title 42 orders. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US to set up migrant centres in Guatemala, Colombia to cut down border arrivals

<p>Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday denied expelling leading Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido but accused him of entering the country illegally.</p>

<p>On Monday, Guaido claimed to have been thrown out of Colombia, hours after he arrived in Bogota for a conference on his&nbsp;crisis-torn country hosted by Petro.</p>

<p>"Mr. Guaido was not expelled and it is better that this lie does not appear in politics," wrote Petro on Twitter.</p>

<p>"Mr. Guaido has an agreement to travel to the US. We allowed it for humanitarian reasons despite the illegal entry into the country."</p>

<p>Neither Guaido, recognised in 2019 by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's de facto leader nor Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro were invited to attend Tuesday's conference.</p>

<p>Petro organised it in a bid to restart negotiations between Venezuela's government and the opposition that began in Mexico City in 2021 but reached a deadlock in November.</p>

<p>Venezuela's opposition, backed by many countries including the United States, did not recognise Maduro's 2018 re-election in a vote widely dismissed as fraudulent.</p>

<p>The next year, Washington ramped up sanctions against Caracas, which were first imposed in 2015 over the brutal repression of anti-government protests a year earlier.</p>

<p>Last month, a Venezuelan official said free presidential elections in 2024 were dependent on the lifting of sanctions.</p>

<p>Guaido said in a statement Monday he had walked across the border from Venezuela to Colombia.</p>

<p>"I have just arrived in Colombia, in the same way as millions of Venezuelans before me -- on foot," he said.</p>

<p>"I hope the summit can guarantee that the Maduro regime will return to the negotiation table in Mexico and that a credible timeline can be agreed upon for free and fair elections to be held as a solution for the conflict."</p>

<p>Guaido later posted a video on Twitter that he appeared to have filmed from inside a plane.</p>

<p>"After 60 hours on the road to get to Bogota, escaping the persecution of the dictatorship, defying the Maduro regime, they are taking me out of Colombia," he said.</p>

<p>Colombia's foreign ministry said Guaido, who arrived in Bogota in an "irregular manner", was taken to the capital city's El Dorado airport for a "departure on a commercial airline to the United States during the night."</p>

<p>"The ticket had already been purchased by him," the statement added.</p>

<p>Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva claimed Guaido had slipped over the border without Colombian authorities knowing.</p>

<p>"Here, we have not closed the doors to anyone, this is not a country that expels, it is a country that simply seeks to have its constitution and law complied with," said Leyva.<br />
<br />
Under Petro's predecessor, right-wing president Ivan Duque, Colombia had been Guaido's main regional backer, breaking diplomatic ties with Maduro's government.</p>

<p>The left-wing Petro reversed this decision, taking up instead a leading role in a process aimed at ending Venezuela's crisis through negotiations.</p>

<p>Even though he was not officially invited to attend the conference, Guaido had hoped to hold talks with visiting officials on the sidelines of the meeting.</p>

<p>The conference brought together nearly two dozen delegations from countries in Latin America, North America and Europe in an attempt to unfreeze negotiations between the government and opposition.</p>

<p>Guaido has also called for a protest to be held on Bogota's Plaza de Bolivar square, a short walk from the palace where the conference will take place.</p>

<p>Guaido, who led a symbolic interim government from 2019 until January this year, has rejected calls by Colombia's Petro for sanctions against Venezuela to be lifted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Venezuela's divided opposition disbanded the interim government in January.</p>


Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday denied expelling leading Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido but accused him of entering the country illegally.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday denied expelling leading Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido but accused him of entering the country illegally. On Monday, Guaido claimed to have been thrown out of Colombia, hours after he arrived in Bogota for a conference on his crisis-torn country hosted by Petro. "Mr. Guaido was not expelled and it is better that this lie does not appear in politics," wrote Petro on Twitter. "Mr. Guaido has an agreement to travel to the US. We allowed it for humanitarian reasons despite the illegal entry into the country." Neither Guaido, recognised in 2019 by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's de facto leader nor Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro were invited to attend Tuesday's conference. Petro organised it in a bid to restart negotiations between Venezuela's government and the opposition that began in Mexico City in 2021 but reached a deadlock in November. Venezuela's opposition, backed by many countries including the United States, did not recognise Maduro's 2018 re-election in a vote widely dismissed as fraudulent. The next year, Washington ramped up sanctions against Caracas, which were first imposed in 2015 over the brutal repression of anti-government protests a year earlier. Last month, a Venezuelan official said free presidential elections in 2024 were dependent on the lifting of sanctions. Guaido said in a statement Monday he had walked across the border from Venezuela to Colombia. "I have just arrived in Colombia, in the same way as millions of Venezuelans before me -- on foot," he said. "I hope the summit can guarantee that the Maduro regime will return to the negotiation table in Mexico and that a credible timeline can be agreed upon for free and fair elections to be held as a solution for the conflict." Guaido later posted a video on Twitter that he appeared to have filmed from inside a plane. "After 60 hours on the road to get to Bogota, escaping the persecution of the dictatorship, defying the Maduro regime, they are taking me out of Colombia," he said. Colombia's foreign ministry said Guaido, who arrived in Bogota in an "irregular manner", was taken to the capital city's El Dorado airport for a "departure on a commercial airline to the United States during the night." "The ticket had already been purchased by him," the statement added. Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva claimed Guaido had slipped over the border without Colombian authorities knowing. "Here, we have not closed the doors to anyone, this is not a country that expels, it is a country that simply seeks to have its constitution and law complied with," said Leyva. Under Petro's predecessor, right-wing president Ivan Duque, Colombia had been Guaido's main regional backer, breaking diplomatic ties with Maduro's government. The left-wing Petro reversed this decision, taking up instead a leading role in a process aimed at ending Venezuela's crisis through negotiations. Even though he was not officially invited to attend the conference, Guaido had hoped to hold talks with visiting officials on the sidelines of the meeting. The conference brought together nearly two dozen delegations from countries in Latin America, North America and Europe in an attempt to unfreeze negotiations between the government and opposition. Guaido has also called for a protest to be held on Bogota's Plaza de Bolivar square, a short walk from the palace where the conference will take place. Guaido, who led a symbolic interim government from 2019 until January this year, has rejected calls by Colombia's Petro for sanctions against Venezuela to be lifted. Venezuela's divided opposition disbanded the interim government in January.

Colombian prez denies Venezuelan opposition figure Guaido claims of forceful expulsion from country

Colombia is leaving behind fossil fuels and moving to a eco-tourism-based economy. The country is taking a step closer towards environmental protection and conservation. The credit goes to jaguars, capybaras, caimans, and other wild species in the country. Protected areas in the Casanare region of Colombia are fast shifting to promoting eco-tourism and further away from the fossil fuel industry.

Colombia trades out fossil fuels for eco-tourism-based economy

<p>The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region. The explosion occurred through the mine overnight Wednesday into Thursday in Cucunuba municipality. According to a report by the news agency AFP early Saturday, authorities said that they suspected pockets of gas trapped in the mine detonated.</p>

<p>Initially, rescue teams found three bodies, and four workers were reported to be missing. But on Friday, the four workers were found dead and the total number of deaths rose to seven. On social media, videos showed billowing from a sinkhole while people dressed in civilian clothes approached carefully.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Colombia, which is Latin America's largest coal producer, has reported frequent mining incidents in the past, particularly in illegal mines in Cundinamarca and other parts of the country's centre and northeast.</p>

<p>This explosion in the Cucunuba municipality comes more than a month after an explosion was reported on March 14 in several adjoining coal mines in a rural area of Sutatausa. Twenty-one miners died in the explosion. This was one of the worst tragedies in Colombia in recent years, AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the national mining agency, there were 117 accidents at mines in Colombia last year killing 146 people. And the deadliest accident was in 2010 when 73 people were killed in a mine explosion in the country's northwest.</p>

<p><em><strong>(With inputs from agencies)</strong></em></p>

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The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region.

The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region. The explosion occurred through the mine overnight Wednesday into Thursday in Cucunuba municipality. According to a report by the news agency AFP early Saturday, authorities said that they suspected pockets of gas trapped in the mine detonated. Initially, rescue teams found three bodies, and four workers were reported to be missing. But on Friday, the four workers were found dead and the total number of deaths rose to seven. On social media, videos showed billowing from a sinkhole while people dressed in civilian clothes approached carefully. Colombia, which is Latin America's largest coal producer, has reported frequent mining incidents in the past, particularly in illegal mines in Cundinamarca and other parts of the country's centre and northeast. This explosion in the Cucunuba municipality comes more than a month after an explosion was reported on March 14 in several adjoining coal mines in a rural area of Sutatausa. Twenty-one miners died in the explosion. This was one of the worst tragedies in Colombia in recent years, AFP reported. According to the national mining agency, there were 117 accidents at mines in Colombia last year killing 146 people. And the deadliest accident was in 2010 when 73 people were killed in a mine explosion in the country's northwest. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia: Death toll in coal mine blast rises to seven

Authorities in Colombia have issued a warning over an increase in seismic activity near the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which in 1985 caused the nation's deadliest known natural tragedy, which claimed 25,000 lives. President Gustavo Petro announced on Friday that there was a greater risk of an eruption, reiterating a warning the Colombian Geologic Service had made the day before.

Residents living near Nevado Ruiz volcano evacuates after increased activity

Colombia could be on the brink of a massive volcanic eruption. Nevado-del-Ruiz, a deadly volcano near Bogotá has been registering magnified seismic activity since the 24th of march. Colombian authorities have heightened the threat level for the same. As the state declares an orange alert, president Gustavo Petro has urged people to take necessary precautions.

Volcano 'Nevado Del Ruiz' spewed rock, water & snow on nearby towns in 1985

Colombia is relocating 70 hippos. 60 of them would be heading to India. What is the story of Pablo Escobar's hippos? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Colombia's mission to relocate 70 hippos

<p>A dangerous volcano that killed 25,000 people 38 years ago, is active once again. Colombia's Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which is situated on the notoriously dangerous Pacific Ring of fire, is experiencing seismic activity and authorities on Friday warned of a "probable" new eruption with weeks or even days.</p>

<p>Colombia's ministry of mines in a statement said that there has recently been a "significant increase in seismic activity," for the Nevado del Ruiz volcano.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Climate Change: UN votes to ask world court to rule on countries' climate duties</strong></p>

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<p>AFP reports that Colombia's SGC geological service has warned of a "probable eruption within days or weeks."</p>

<p>The agency said that another eruption was "a probability for which authorities must be prepared," and urged the population to remain calm and to follow warnings and updates.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-magellan-spacecraft-images-reveal-active-volcanoes-on-venus-572798">NASA's Magellan spacecraft images reveal active volcanoes on Venus</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Columbian President Gustavo Petro on Twitter wrote: "We have an orange alert due to the change in seismology at the Ruiz volcano. Mayors must prepare the protocols for this state of alert."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Tenemos alerta naranja por el cambio de sismología en el volcán del Ruiz. Alcaldes deben preparar los protocolos para este estado de alerta.</p>
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) <a href="https://twitter.com/petrogustavo/status/1641808154429202433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>This orange alert, as per the nation's&nbsp;UNGRD disaster risk management unit, signals towards the likelihood of an eruption "bigger than any in the last decade."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vanuatu-volcano-throws-up-huge-fumes-of-ash-into-pacifics-ring-of-fire-557741">Vanuatu volcano throws up huge fumes of ash into Pacific's 'Ring of Fire'</a></strong></p>

<p>Nevado del Ruiz volcano is a 17,400-foot (5,300-meter) colossus volcano in Western Columbia. Its last eruption on November 13, 1985,&nbsp;is considered one of the worst natural disasters in Colombian history and also one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. The heat from the 1985 eruption melted the snow that caps mountains in surrounding areas; triggering a mudslide which as per AFP "swallowed" the town of Armero and killed around half of its population of 50,000.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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A dangerous volcano that killed 25,000 people 38 years ago, is active once again. Colombia's Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which is situated on the notoriously dangerous Pacific Ring of fire, is experiencing seismic activity and authorities on Friday warned of a "probable" new eruption with weeks or even days.

A dangerous volcano that killed 25,000 people 38 years ago, is active once again. Colombia's Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which is situated on the notoriously dangerous Pacific Ring of fire, is experiencing seismic activity and authorities on Friday warned of a "probable" new eruption with weeks or even days. Colombia's ministry of mines in a statement said that there has recently been a "significant increase in seismic activity," for the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. Watch | Climate Change: UN votes to ask world court to rule on countries' climate duties AFP reports that Colombia's SGC geological service has warned of a "probable eruption within days or weeks." The agency said that another eruption was "a probability for which authorities must be prepared," and urged the population to remain calm and to follow warnings and updates. Also read | NASA's Magellan spacecraft images reveal active volcanoes on Venus Meanwhile, Columbian President Gustavo Petro on Twitter wrote: "We have an orange alert due to the change in seismology at the Ruiz volcano. Mayors must prepare the protocols for this state of alert." Tenemos alerta naranja por el cambio de sismología en el volcán del Ruiz. Alcaldes deben preparar los protocolos para este estado de alerta. — Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 31, 2023 × This orange alert, as per the nation's UNGRD disaster risk management unit, signals towards the likelihood of an eruption "bigger than any in the last decade." Also read | Vanuatu volcano throws up huge fumes of ash into Pacific's 'Ring of Fire' Nevado del Ruiz volcano is a 17,400-foot (5,300-meter) colossus volcano in Western Columbia. Its last eruption on November 13, 1985, is considered one of the worst natural disasters in Colombian history and also one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. The heat from the 1985 eruption melted the snow that caps mountains in surrounding areas; triggering a mudslide which as per AFP "swallowed" the town of Armero and killed around half of its population of 50,000. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which killed 25,000 in 1985, ready for ‘bigger than any’ eruption

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