The Colombian government declared a disaster situation on Thursday (Jan 25) and asked for international help to combat the raging wildfires across the country, as the president and local officials&nbsp;said the situation might worsen in the upcoming days.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Situation of disaster and calamity’</h2>

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro declared a “situation of disaster and calamity”&nbsp;on Thursday. He&nbsp;told reporters that Chile, the United States, Peru and Canada have already responded to the call for help, but did not specify the assistance that will arrive in&nbsp;the South American country.&nbsp;

The government has also asked for help from the United Nations and the European Union. “To the extent that we know that in the coming days and weeks crisis events are going to increase, we want to make sure that we have the physical capacity to address and mitigate them," Petro said.

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He also warned that the situation he described as a “climate crisis” will get worse. He added, “We are going towards an increasingly difficult stage.”&nbsp;

The disaster declaration allows the government to reallocate funds to tackle the wildfires.

<h2>Situation in Colombia</h2>

The local officials raised the number of wildfires from 25 to 31, out of which only nine are under control, reported the Associated Press. So far, they have not ordered mandatory evacuations despite fires burning in the mountains surrounding some residential areas.&nbsp;

Roughly half of the country’s municipalities are on maximum alert due to fire risk, according to the country’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies.&nbsp;

The police are using&nbsp;planes authorised to spray chemicals on coca leaf crops to transport and drop water over the fires. Meanwhile, the Colombian army has deployed more than 600 soldiers as well as aircraft and vehicles to mitigate the situation in emergency areas.

Since Monday (Jan 22), the firefighters and armed forces have struggled to contain a series of fires that broke out in the Andean mountains near the capital Bogota.

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The wildfires come after months of hot, dry weather which has been attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon marked by low rainfall and rise in temperatures. Several cities&nbsp;across the country,&nbsp;over the past few weeks, have witnessed record-high temperatures.&nbsp;

According to Petro, the drought is expected to intensify in February and most of March. Meanwhile, Colombia’s weather agency IDEAM said there’s a high risk of new fires.&nbsp;

On Thursday morning, at least 138 flights at the capital city’s El Dorado airport were affected as smoke billowed over Bogota. “We estimate that the phenomenon is composed of 70% fog and 30% smoke,” said the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia, in a statement on X.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Colombian government declared a disaster situation on Thursday (Jan 25) and asked for international help to combat the raging wildfires across the country, as the president and local officials said the situation might worsen in the upcoming days.

The Colombian government declared a disaster situation on Thursday (Jan 25) and asked for international help to combat the raging wildfires across the country, as the president and local officials said the situation might worsen in the upcoming days. ‘Situation of disaster and calamity’ Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro declared a “situation of disaster and calamity” on Thursday. He told reporters that Chile, the United States, Peru and Canada have already responded to the call for help, but did not specify the assistance that will arrive in the South American country. The government has also asked for help from the United Nations and the European Union. “To the extent that we know that in the coming days and weeks crisis events are going to increase, we want to make sure that we have the physical capacity to address and mitigate them," Petro said. ALSO READ | Protesters take out 'Invasion Day' rallies to oppose Australia Day holiday He also warned that the situation he described as a “climate crisis” will get worse. He added, “We are going towards an increasingly difficult stage.” The disaster declaration allows the government to reallocate funds to tackle the wildfires. Situation in Colombia The local officials raised the number of wildfires from 25 to 31, out of which only nine are under control, reported the Associated Press. So far, they have not ordered mandatory evacuations despite fires burning in the mountains surrounding some residential areas. Roughly half of the country’s municipalities are on maximum alert due to fire risk, according to the country’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies. The police are using planes authorised to spray chemicals on coca leaf crops to transport and drop water over the fires. Meanwhile, the Colombian army has deployed more than 600 soldiers as well as aircraft and vehicles to mitigate the situation in emergency areas. Since Monday (Jan 22), the firefighters and armed forces have struggled to contain a series of fires that broke out in the Andean mountains near the capital Bogota. ALSO READ | Japan New Year earthquake: Tokyo says cost of quake damage could reach $17 billion The wildfires come after months of hot, dry weather which has been attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon marked by low rainfall and rise in temperatures. Several cities across the country, over the past few weeks, have witnessed record-high temperatures. According to Petro, the drought is expected to intensify in February and most of March. Meanwhile, Colombia’s weather agency IDEAM said there’s a high risk of new fires. On Thursday morning, at least 138 flights at the capital city’s El Dorado airport were affected as smoke billowed over Bogota. “We estimate that the phenomenon is composed of 70% fog and 30% smoke,” said the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia, in a statement on X. (With inputs from agencies)

Colombia declares disaster, calls for international help due to raging wildfires across the country

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.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

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.

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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

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

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.

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Prosecutors confirmed the arrest of the president's son on money laundering charges and illicit enrichment.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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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

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday (July 8) pledged cooperation to protect the Amazon rainforest.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday (July 8) pledged cooperation to protect the Amazon rainforest. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Petro and Silva discussed the regional coordination to fight deforestation and protect the Amazon during a summit in Colombia's Leticia city. The two leaders called on rich countries to cough up funds to help South American countries preserve the rainforest. "We will soon establish an international police cooperation centre for the Amazon in Manaus and create an integrated air traffic control system, which will also be important to dismantle the route used by organised crime. We all suffer from the presence of criminals involved in illegal logging, mining, and fishing on the vast expanse of public land," Brazilian President Lula da Silva said during Saturday's summit. "Today, the approach of saving those forests to save life continues with a discussion: how much will they pay us for it? Why not do the same as those in the North did? The northern people wiped out the forests and killed the indigenous people. Is that development? Do we have to do the same? Or is there an entirely different perspective opening up? There is another kind of development that has to do with not cutting down the tree," Colombian President Petro said. Deforestation of Amazon falls by one-third under Lula's leadership: Govt On Thursday, the Brazilian government said that deforestation of the Amazon fell by one-third in the first six months of President Lula da Silva's administration compared to the same period last year. The 33.6 per cent drop is based on satellite images captured by the National Institute of Space Research. The institute said that from January this year till June, 2,649 square kilometres of rainforest were felled. In the same period in 2022 when Jair Bolsonaro was serving as president, 3,988 square kilometres of rainforest were felled. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva said, "We have reached a steady downward trend in deforestation of the Amazon." Silva added the good results stemmed from Lula's policy of fighting climate change and deforestation of the Amazon. (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.

Presidents of Colombia, Brazil pledge cooperation to protect Amazon

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.

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"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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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

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

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.

<h2>The plane crash</h2>

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;

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 |&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>

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."

<h2>A joy for the whole country</h2>

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&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."

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¡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>
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) <a href="https://twitter.com/petrogustavo/status/1667319759589847042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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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;

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>

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."

<h2>How did rescue teams find the kids&nbsp;after more than a month in the thick jungle?</h2>

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) 
 
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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

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.

<h2>Rebel groups decry Petro’s decision</h2>

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:&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Landslide in Colombia: At least three dead and several missing

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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.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-president-retracts-claim-children-found-after-plane-crash-593881">Also Read |&nbsp;Colombia president retracts claim children found after plane crash</a>

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.

<h2>President Petro in no mood to back off</h2>

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.

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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

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

Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old infant, were found alive in Colombia's thick Amazon forests&nbsp;following an aircraft crash&nbsp;more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday, expressing "joy" for the country.

The children were located following "arduous search efforts" by the military, according to Petro's tweet.

There is uncertainty over whether the four children from an Indigenous tribe in Colombia had been found alive after an aircraft crash, when reports from the country's president were challenged by military sources.&nbsp;

As per local media reports, defence sources had no confirmation that the children had been found, reported the Guardian.

Authorities had sent out more than 100 soldiers accompanied by sniffer dogs to look for the children aboard an aeroplane that crashed on May 1, killing three adults.

Rescuers suspect the children, who included a 13-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a four-year-old, had been wandering through the jungle in the southern Caqueta region since the crash.

Earlier on&nbsp;Wednesday, the armed forces claimed that search efforts had been stepped up after rescuers discovered a "shelter built in an improvised way with sticks and branches," prompting them to suspect there were survivors.

Scissors and a hair tie were visible amid the trees on the forest floor in pictures published by the military forces.

A baby's drinking bottle and a half-eaten piece of fruit had already been discovered.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peace-talks-with-colombian-govt-in-crisis-because-eln-guerrilla-group-592826">'Peace talks with Colombian govt in crisis because...': ELN guerrilla group</a>

Soldiers discovered the remains of the pilot and two adults who had been flying from a jungle area to San Jose del Guaviare, one of Colombia's largest cities in the Amazon rainforest, on Monday and Tuesday.

Ranoque Mucutuy, one of the deceased passengers, was the mother of the four Huitoto ethnic children.

<h2>Tough search conditions amid Operation Hope</h2>

The hunt for "Operation Hope" was hampered by giant trees that can grow to be 40 metres tall, dangerous animals, and severe rain.

Three helicopters were used to assist, one of which aired a recorded message from the children's grandmother in Huitoto instructing them to halt going through the dense forest.&nbsp;

The reason of the crash&nbsp;has not been revealed by authorities.

According to Colombia's disaster response agency, the pilot reported engine difficulties just minutes before the jet vanished from radars.

It is a remote location with few roads and poor river access, therefore air travel is popular.

The Huitoto, also known as the Witoto, are renowned for living in peace with the disconnected forest, as well as for their hunting, fishing, and gathering abilities, which may have helped the children survive.

Over many decades, the population has been drastically decreased due to exploitation, illness, and assimilation.

Petro, who announced the rescue, is Colombia's first leftist president.

He took office in August of last year but has yet to implement the essential reforms in labour law, healthcare, pensions, and the judiciary that he had pledged during his campaign.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old infant, were found alive in Colombia's thick Amazon forests following an aircraft crash more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday, expressing "joy" for the country.

Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old infant, were found alive in Colombia's thick Amazon forests following an aircraft crash more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday, expressing "joy" for the country. The children were located following "arduous search efforts" by the military, according to Petro's tweet. There is uncertainty over whether the four children from an Indigenous tribe in Colombia had been found alive after an aircraft crash, when reports from the country's president were challenged by military sources. As per local media reports, defence sources had no confirmation that the children had been found, reported the Guardian. Authorities had sent out more than 100 soldiers accompanied by sniffer dogs to look for the children aboard an aeroplane that crashed on May 1, killing three adults. Rescuers suspect the children, who included a 13-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a four-year-old, had been wandering through the jungle in the southern Caqueta region since the crash. Earlier on Wednesday, the armed forces claimed that search efforts had been stepped up after rescuers discovered a "shelter built in an improvised way with sticks and branches," prompting them to suspect there were survivors. Scissors and a hair tie were visible amid the trees on the forest floor in pictures published by the military forces. A baby's drinking bottle and a half-eaten piece of fruit had already been discovered. ALSO READ | 'Peace talks with Colombian govt in crisis because...': ELN guerrilla group Soldiers discovered the remains of the pilot and two adults who had been flying from a jungle area to San Jose del Guaviare, one of Colombia's largest cities in the Amazon rainforest, on Monday and Tuesday. Ranoque Mucutuy, one of the deceased passengers, was the mother of the four Huitoto ethnic children. Tough search conditions amid Operation Hope The hunt for "Operation Hope" was hampered by giant trees that can grow to be 40 metres tall, dangerous animals, and severe rain. Three helicopters were used to assist, one of which aired a recorded message from the children's grandmother in Huitoto instructing them to halt going through the dense forest. The reason of the crash has not been revealed by authorities. According to Colombia's disaster response agency, the pilot reported engine difficulties just minutes before the jet vanished from radars. It is a remote location with few roads and poor river access, therefore air travel is popular. The Huitoto, also known as the Witoto, are renowned for living in peace with the disconnected forest, as well as for their hunting, fishing, and gathering abilities, which may have helped the children survive. Over many decades, the population has been drastically decreased due to exploitation, illness, and assimilation. Petro, who announced the rescue, is Colombia's first leftist president. He took office in August of last year but has yet to implement the essential reforms in labour law, healthcare, pensions, and the judiciary that he had pledged during his campaign. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Amazon plane crash: Confusion in Colombia after Pedro’s tweet on four missing kids being rescued

The Colombian government said on Wednesday that the interior ministry has decided to suspend the ceasefire agreement with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels. The announcement came a day after the guerrilla outfit denied signing a six-month ceasefire pact with the authorities.

"In view of the position publicly assumed yesterday (Tuesday)... we have decided to suspend the legal effects of the decree" which had established a bilateral truce with the ELN from January 1 to June 30, minister Alfonso Prada said in the press conference according to Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-offshoot-to-xbb15-may-cause-new-covid-spike-in-the-us-confirms-cdc-549368">Omicron offshoot XBB.1.5 may cause new Covid spike in the US, confirms CDC</a>

The two parties are expected to sit for negotiations once again in Mexico.

Earlier, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had announced on New Year’s Eve that the government was successful in making the five largest armed groups agree to a six-month truce. However, the statement was rejected by National Liberation Army (ELN) – the biggest group in the mix.

“The ELN Dialogue Delegation has not discussed any bilateral ceasefire with the Gustavo Petro government, therefore no such agreement exists,” the guerrilla group said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rishi-sunak-to-call-for-mandatory-maths-education-till-age-18-549369">Rishi Sunak plans to make maths mandatory for all students till the age of 18</a>

According to official data, around 450,000 Colombians were killed while eight million were displaced due to the internal conflict plaguing the country. A peace agreement was signed between the parties in 2016 but the smaller groups have entered the fray to make the situation worse in Colombia.

“This whole fiasco demonstrates how improvised many of the government’s announcements are, declaring things without thinking them through with all the relevant stakeholders,” Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis said in an interview with The Guardian. 
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The Colombian government said on Wednesday that the interior ministry has decided to suspend the ceasefire agreement with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.

The Colombian government said on Wednesday that the interior ministry has decided to suspend the ceasefire agreement with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels. The announcement came a day after the guerrilla outfit denied signing a six-month ceasefire pact with the authorities. "In view of the position publicly assumed yesterday (Tuesday)... we have decided to suspend the legal effects of the decree" which had established a bilateral truce with the ELN from January 1 to June 30, minister Alfonso Prada said in the press conference according to Reuters. Also read | Omicron offshoot XBB.1.5 may cause new Covid spike in the US, confirms CDC The two parties are expected to sit for negotiations once again in Mexico. Earlier, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had announced on New Year’s Eve that the government was successful in making the five largest armed groups agree to a six-month truce. However, the statement was rejected by National Liberation Army (ELN) – the biggest group in the mix. “The ELN Dialogue Delegation has not discussed any bilateral ceasefire with the Gustavo Petro government, therefore no such agreement exists,” the guerrilla group said in a statement. Also read | Rishi Sunak plans to make maths mandatory for all students till the age of 18 According to official data, around 450,000 Colombians were killed while eight million were displaced due to the internal conflict plaguing the country. A peace agreement was signed between the parties in 2016 but the smaller groups have entered the fray to make the situation worse in Colombia. “This whole fiasco demonstrates how improvised many of the government’s announcements are, declaring things without thinking them through with all the relevant stakeholders,” Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis said in an interview with The Guardian.

Colombian govt suspends 'ceasefire' with National Liberation Army rebels after denial by group

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in his New Year's Eve announcement, said that his government has reached a six-month ceasefire deal with the country's five largest armed groups.&nbsp;Making the truce was the main goal of the president's "total peace" policy, which is aimed at ending armed conflict within the country that has continued even after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was dissolved in 2017.

"We have agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the Second Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC and the Self-Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada from January 1 to June 30, 2023, extendable depending on progress in the negotiations," tweeted Petro.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-dissidents-of-guerrilla-group-farc-announce-temporary-truce-546434">Colombia: Dissidents of guerrilla group FARC announce temporary truce</a>

"This is a bold act. The bilateral ceasefire obliges the armed organisations and the state to respect it. There will be a national and international verification mechanism,” he further wrote.

The groups entering the ceasefire deal include&nbsp;leftist guerrilla group like the National Liberation Army (ELN) along with dissident groups which are being operated by former members of the now-demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Estado Mayor Central and Segunda Marquetalia.

The Colombian government, in a separate statement, stated that multiple letters were received from the church, society and other community organisations with an appeal to end the violence.

WATCH | Gravitas: Colombia elects former guerrilla rebel as President

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The government said that a specific decree would be issued for each organisation, which will specify the conditions and durations of the ceasefire. The ceasefire deal will end on June 30, but can be extended.&nbsp;

Even after efforts made by the government to negotiate with different armed groups in Colombia, so far it has not been successful in containing the violence that engulfs the country.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in his New Year's Eve announcement, said that his government has reached a six-month ceasefire deal with the country's five largest armed groups.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in his New Year's Eve announcement, said that his government has reached a six-month ceasefire deal with the country's five largest armed groups. Making the truce was the main goal of the president's "total peace" policy, which is aimed at ending armed conflict within the country that has continued even after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was dissolved in 2017. "We have agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the Second Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC and the Self-Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada from January 1 to June 30, 2023, extendable depending on progress in the negotiations," tweeted Petro. ALSO READ | Colombia: Dissidents of guerrilla group FARC announce temporary truce "This is a bold act. The bilateral ceasefire obliges the armed organisations and the state to respect it. There will be a national and international verification mechanism,” he further wrote. The groups entering the ceasefire deal include leftist guerrilla group like the National Liberation Army (ELN) along with dissident groups which are being operated by former members of the now-demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Estado Mayor Central and Segunda Marquetalia. The Colombian government, in a separate statement, stated that multiple letters were received from the church, society and other community organisations with an appeal to end the violence. WATCH | Gravitas: Colombia elects former guerrilla rebel as President The government said that a specific decree would be issued for each organisation, which will specify the conditions and durations of the ceasefire. The ceasefire deal will end on June 30, but can be extended. Even after efforts made by the government to negotiate with different armed groups in Colombia, so far it has not been successful in containing the violence that engulfs the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Colombia government finalises six-month ceasefire deal with five armed groups

Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — a guerrilla group in Colombia, have&nbsp;announced a temporary truce in the country. According to the peace commissioner on Saturday (December 24), the group of armed renegades declared a unilateral ceasefire until the new year, news agency AFP reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that other FARC dissidents as well as paramilitaries in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the north, and gangs in the port of Buenaventura, the most important port on the Pacific, also declared a ceasefire. Taking to Twitter, President Petro said, "We hope that real peace processes will be consolidated."

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Saturday's development comes days after the rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) ended the forced confinement of around 10,000 people in the northwest of Colombia.&nbsp;

The ELN is in peace negotiations with the government. It is the last recognised rebel group operating in Colombia, although dissidents who refused to sign a 2016 peace deal between the FARC and the government also remain active, AFP reported on Wednesday. The rebel group has around 2,500 fighters and a wide network of collaborators, independent estimates show.&nbsp;

After becoming the country's first leftist President in August this year, Gustavo Petro vowed to negotiate with all armed groups as a part of his "total peace" policy. At present, there are around 90 political and criminal groups operating in Colombia.&nbsp;

For over five decades, Colombia has suffered an armed conflict between the state and groups of left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers.

In November, talks had resumed with ELN in Venezuela for the first time in three years, when President Petro's predecessor Ivan Duque broke off negotiations following a car bomb attack on a police academy in which 22 people were killed. The initial talks had not resulted in a formal ceasefire agreement. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — a guerrilla group in Colombia, have announced a temporary truce in the country. According to the peace commissioner on Saturday (December 24), the group of armed renegades declared a unilateral ceasefire until the new year, news agency AFP reported on Sunday.

Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — a guerrilla group in Colombia, have announced a temporary truce in the country. According to the peace commissioner on Saturday (December 24), the group of armed renegades declared a unilateral ceasefire until the new year, news agency AFP reported on Sunday. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that other FARC dissidents as well as paramilitaries in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the north, and gangs in the port of Buenaventura, the most important port on the Pacific, also declared a ceasefire. Taking to Twitter, President Petro said, "We hope that real peace processes will be consolidated." ALSO READ | At least 27 killed in Colombia landslide, several injured - President Saturday's development comes days after the rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) ended the forced confinement of around 10,000 people in the northwest of Colombia. The ELN is in peace negotiations with the government. It is the last recognised rebel group operating in Colombia, although dissidents who refused to sign a 2016 peace deal between the FARC and the government also remain active, AFP reported on Wednesday. The rebel group has around 2,500 fighters and a wide network of collaborators, independent estimates show. After becoming the country's first leftist President in August this year, Gustavo Petro vowed to negotiate with all armed groups as a part of his "total peace" policy. At present, there are around 90 political and criminal groups operating in Colombia. For over five decades, Colombia has suffered an armed conflict between the state and groups of left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers. In November, talks had resumed with ELN in Venezuela for the first time in three years, when President Petro's predecessor Ivan Duque broke off negotiations following a car bomb attack on a police academy in which 22 people were killed. The initial talks had not resulted in a formal ceasefire agreement. (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: Dissidents of guerrilla group FARC announce temporary truce

Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army - the ELN - resumes formal peace talks in Venezuela for the first time since they were suspended back in 2019. The talks are in efforts by President Gustavo Petro, the first-ever leftist leader.

Colombia begins peace talks with ELN rebels; President Petro promises to bring 'total peace'

In pics | Thousands of Colombians protest against Petro's 'tax reforms'

A string of violent incidents in Colombia over the past three days resulted in the death of 17 people, authorities reported, underscoring the enormous burden on President Petro.

Six people were shot dead by gunmen on Monday morning (September 12) in the northern city of Barranquilla while drinking in a bar.

Another violent incident occurred a day earlier when a group of criminals murdered a teacher, his wife, and their two children in north-central Santander on Sunday (September 11), local authorities said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombias-leftist-president-to-give-properties-confiscated-from-drug-traffickers-to-farmers-women-512214">Also read |&nbsp;Colombia's leftist President to give properties confiscated from drug traffickers to farmers, women</a>

Adding to this, five migrants from Venezuela were killed by vigilantes in an act of vengeance. The murderers, the local mayor said, were from Venezuela and wanted to steal money and killed victims with knives. The mayor further said that a wounded member of the deceased family informed the neighbour, who took justice into his own hands and killed the five attackers.

Additionally, a young woman who was a local leader was stabbed to death in her house in the northern Sucre department on Friday night.

As per an NGO leader, 128 locals and community leaders have been killed since the state and Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia insurgents signed a 2016 peace agreement, AFP reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-colombia-restore-diplomatic-ties-after-three-year-break-511018">Also read |&nbsp;Venezuela, Colombia restore diplomatic ties after three-year break</a>

Following his victory in June this year, Petro vowed to impose complete peace on the nation wracked by war. He also swore to begin negotiations with the National Liberation Army. In an effort to break the cycle of violence, he also stated that he would speak to the drug dealers as well.

Conflicts between leftist insurgents, drug traffickers, right-wing paramilitaries, and government troops have plagued Colombia in violence for nearly six decades.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A string of violent incidents in Colombia over the past three days resulted in the death of 17 people, authorities reported, underscoring the enormous burden on President Petro.

A string of violent incidents in Colombia over the past three days resulted in the death of 17 people, authorities reported, underscoring the enormous burden on President Petro. Six people were shot dead by gunmen on Monday morning (September 12) in the northern city of Barranquilla while drinking in a bar. Another violent incident occurred a day earlier when a group of criminals murdered a teacher, his wife, and their two children in north-central Santander on Sunday (September 11), local authorities said. Also read | Colombia's leftist President to give properties confiscated from drug traffickers to farmers, women Adding to this, five migrants from Venezuela were killed by vigilantes in an act of vengeance. The murderers, the local mayor said, were from Venezuela and wanted to steal money and killed victims with knives. The mayor further said that a wounded member of the deceased family informed the neighbour, who took justice into his own hands and killed the five attackers. Additionally, a young woman who was a local leader was stabbed to death in her house in the northern Sucre department on Friday night. As per an NGO leader, 128 locals and community leaders have been killed since the state and Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia insurgents signed a 2016 peace agreement, AFP reported. Also read | Venezuela, Colombia restore diplomatic ties after three-year break Following his victory in June this year, Petro vowed to impose complete peace on the nation wracked by war. He also swore to begin negotiations with the National Liberation Army. In an effort to break the cycle of violence, he also stated that he would speak to the drug dealers as well. Conflicts between leftist insurgents, drug traffickers, right-wing paramilitaries, and government troops have plagued Colombia in violence for nearly six decades. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Violence in Colombia leaves 17 dead in 72 hours 

The leftward shift in South America that gained momentum in 2021, with right-wing politicians being worsted in presidential elections in Peru, Chile and Honduras, continues its sweep in 2022.

The leftward shift in South America that gained momentum in 2021, with right-wing politicians being worsted in presidential elections in Peru, Chile and Honduras, continues its sweep in 2022. Colombia, famous for its coffee and the novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, has for long remained under right-wing regimes that enjoyed a cosy equation with Washington. Some of these regimes were terrible dictatorships which forced people like Marquez, best known for his One Hundred Years of Solitude to live in exile out of fear of being killed by state-sponsored mafia elements. (Even when Marquez accompanied Cuba’s Fidel Castro to the Non-Aligned Summit in Delhi in 1983 he feared that public exposure could endanger his life. Reports were that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had wanted to meet Marquez and requested Castro to arrange it). The new left wind now sweeping Latin America has brought to the fore the promise of radical change in Colombia with election of Gustavo Petro as president. This marks the end of a long conservative era in Colombia; and, this is the twelfth free and fair national election in the continent to have unseated incumbents in office. Colombia now joins the legion of South American states that are ‘socialist’, and socialist states, notably, Venezuela in recent years have been Washington’s targets for regime change. However, the war in Ukraine saw the US making overtures to countries to which it was hitherto hostile. Venezuela, where Washington has sought to oust President Nicolas Maduro since his election in 2019, is now being wooed for its petroleum. ALSO READ | Jake’s fake take: US NSA lied about Iranian drones for Russia Does this mean the US will hold off on regime change for a while, if only in Latin America? How the US adapts to the change of political direction dictated by the growing inequality, economic breakdown and terrible deprivation inflicted by the Covid pandemic in large swathes of South America would be a matter of worldwide interest. The author is an Editorial Consultant, WION TV. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) 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.

Red star over South America

Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday.

Pledging to unite the polarised country in the fight against inequality and climate change, the former member of the M-19 guerrilla group promised to revive scuppered peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.

Saying the United States-led war on drugs has failed, he called for a new international strategy to fight drug trafficking.

During his inauguration speech, he said "I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies. I want a strong, just, and united Colombia."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-gustavo-petro-the-ex-guerilla-whos-top-contender-for-colombia-president-483749">Also read |&nbsp;Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader</a>

Petro's oath-taking ceremony was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and at least nine Latin American presidents along with 100,000 invitees.

The 62-year-old former senator had defeated conservative parties that failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas.

Highlighting that climate change must be fought internationally, Petro vowed that Colombia would transition to an economy without coal or oil.

Fueling the popularity of leftist parties in national elections, the focus of voters was turned away from the violent conflicts playing out in rural areas and gave prominence to problems like poverty and corruption by a 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

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Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday.

Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday. Pledging to unite the polarised country in the fight against inequality and climate change, the former member of the M-19 guerrilla group promised to revive scuppered peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels. Saying the United States-led war on drugs has failed, he called for a new international strategy to fight drug trafficking. During his inauguration speech, he said "I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies. I want a strong, just, and united Colombia." Also read | Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader Petro's oath-taking ceremony was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and at least nine Latin American presidents along with 100,000 invitees. The 62-year-old former senator had defeated conservative parties that failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas. Highlighting that climate change must be fought internationally, Petro vowed that Colombia would transition to an economy without coal or oil. Fueling the popularity of leftist parties in national elections, the focus of voters was turned away from the violent conflicts playing out in rural areas and gave prominence to problems like poverty and corruption by a 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. ×

Former guerrilla leader takes oath as Colombia’s first leftist president

Colombia’s&nbsp;Ambassador to India&nbsp;Mariana Pacheco Montes has said that her country electing a left-wing President&nbsp;Gustavo Petro&nbsp;is a show of “strong democracy”.

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador&nbsp;Mariana explained, “This is the third time he has gone as a presidential candidate, so he’s not new to politics, but what is new is Colombia elects for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3 per cent over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power.”

Gustavo Petro will take charge next month. He&nbsp;has been a member of the guerrilla movement that later transformed into a political party. Many of the Latin American countries have seen left-wing governments but Colombia remained the last bastion. Ambassador said that President-elect plans to even have an “open conversation with Venezuela and open the relations” with the neighbouring country, which will be a big breakthrough in the region.&nbsp;In 2019, Venezuela’s Maduro cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia.

WION: For the first time ever, your country will have a leftist govt under President-elect Gustavo Petro, if you can talk about the change in your country.

Mariana Pacheco Montes: It is the first time ever&nbsp;that most Colombians went out to vote, and first time ever Colombia elected a left-wing President, and the first time Colombia elects African-Colombian woman as vice-president. This is a proof of the strong democracy that we have in Colombia, the institutionality and the institutions themselves. We are in the midst of a transition to the new government&nbsp;that will take power on 7th&nbsp;August this year.

WION: How significant is this because we know historically FARC hasn't played a very positive role.

Mariana Pacheco Montes: First, President-elect&nbsp;Gustavo Petro&nbsp;demobilized the guerrilla army in the early 1990s, he is a&nbsp;well-known politician, and after that, he went into politics. This is the 3rd&nbsp;time he has gone as the presidential candidate, so he is not new to politics but what is new is Colombia elected for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3% over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power. He is receiving a country that despite the pandemic is very well managed. A country that is open and growing and has the largest economic growth last year at 10.8%. For this year, according to OECD, Colombia will grow at 6.8%, one of the highest rate in Latin America. The unemployment rate has also decreased and with pride, I have to say that women are leading the recovery of unemployment in Colombia. So, it’s going to be interesting, with a lot of expectations and a lot of enthusiasm in Colombia. 
&nbsp;

WION: How significant it has been for the region, given Colombia has been the last bastion or the country in the region that never had a left-wing govt. How does it also impact your ties with Venezuela?&nbsp;

Mariana Pacheco Montes:&nbsp;It’s not that the country is falling, it’s just the democratic transition from centre-right to the Left, as in many other countries. Wherever there is democracy, there are transitions, and that is what is going on in Colombia. President-elect has said that he will open a conversation with Venezuela and open relations. That is not to say we haven’t had open and fraternal relations with the Venezuelan people. We have received more than 2 million Venezuelans in Colombia and we have formalized or legalized their status in Colombia. So far 1.8 million Venezuelans are living formally in Colombia. It is what some academicians call the pink tide of Latin America where many of the countries are going towards the left.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION: The recently announced reconciliation report that has been announced is being hailed as a watershed moment in your country’s history. If you can explain to our viewers this report, and also the peace pact that saw Colombia being discussed at UNSC.

Mariana Pacheco Montes:&nbsp;Colombia signed a peace agreement in 2016 with&nbsp;FARC which became a political party and some of those members did not follow, did not demobilize and are still in illegality. With regards to members who have followed the demobilization process, there are more than 10,000 members of the former FARC and some of them are members of the senate, and members of the House of Representatives which is a big step and part of the peace accord signed in 2016. The peace accord has a process of 16 years that it has to follow, and the Colombian government called the UN for a verification mission so that every 6 months the minister of foreign affairs goes with the head of the implementation of the peace agreement and reports how the implementation of the peace agreement is going on. As such, since India is a member of the UNSC, it&nbsp;has also has been part of those reports in the last year and a half.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the relationship between India and Colombia going forward?

Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very good, I think we are in a very good stage of our bilateral relations and I am very proud as an ambassador that we have come across many bridges, not only in the economic, and cultural space. We are at Casa Colombia, the first cultural centre at the Colombian embassy, and we expanded Indian investment in Colombia. We had a high-level&nbsp;visit, with the Vice President, and Minister of foreign affairs in October, we had MOS MEA Lekhi going to Colombia, and we hope many more happen. Some great tech transfers and investments in pharma companies have happened in Colombia from India. Tech Mahindra, TCS, and Hero Motorcycles are expanding and doing well in Colombia. I see and am proud to be part to be working hand-in-hand in partnership and friendship which has been stronger than ever.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION: What is the cultural link between India and Colombia?

Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very much so, not only in music, art and everything. My son is with me here and he is studying Hindustani classical music and he has an Indo-Latino group which is very interesting. We are much alike. At Casa Colombia, we brought an Urban Colombian artist who is painting at Vasant Vihar metro station, so our ties are growing stronger and stronger.

Colombia’s Ambassador to India Mariana Pacheco Montes has said that her country electing a left-wing President Gustavo Petro is a show of “strong democracy”. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Mariana explained, “This is the third time he has gone as a presidential candidate, so he’s not new to politics, but what is new is Colombia elects for the first time a left-wing President.

Colombia’s Ambassador to India Mariana Pacheco Montes has said that her country electing a left-wing President Gustavo Petro is a show of “strong democracy”. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Mariana explained, “This is the third time he has gone as a presidential candidate, so he’s not new to politics, but what is new is Colombia elects for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3 per cent over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power.” Gustavo Petro will take charge next month. He has been a member of the guerrilla movement that later transformed into a political party. Many of the Latin American countries have seen left-wing governments but Colombia remained the last bastion. Ambassador said that President-elect plans to even have an “open conversation with Venezuela and open the relations” with the neighbouring country, which will be a big breakthrough in the region. In 2019, Venezuela’s Maduro cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia. WION: For the first time ever, your country will have a leftist govt under President-elect Gustavo Petro, if you can talk about the change in your country. Mariana Pacheco Montes: It is the first time ever that most Colombians went out to vote, and first time ever Colombia elected a left-wing President, and the first time Colombia elects African-Colombian woman as vice-president. This is a proof of the strong democracy that we have in Colombia, the institutionality and the institutions themselves. We are in the midst of a transition to the new government that will take power on 7th August this year. WION: How significant is this because we know historically FARC hasn't played a very positive role. Mariana Pacheco Montes: First, President-elect Gustavo Petro demobilized the guerrilla army in the early 1990s, he is a well-known politician, and after that, he went into politics. This is the 3rd time he has gone as the presidential candidate, so he is not new to politics but what is new is Colombia elected for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3% over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power. He is receiving a country that despite the pandemic is very well managed. A country that is open and growing and has the largest economic growth last year at 10.8%. For this year, according to OECD, Colombia will grow at 6.8%, one of the highest rate in Latin America. The unemployment rate has also decreased and with pride, I have to say that women are leading the recovery of unemployment in Colombia. So, it’s going to be interesting, with a lot of expectations and a lot of enthusiasm in Colombia. WION: How significant it has been for the region, given Colombia has been the last bastion or the country in the region that never had a left-wing govt. How does it also impact your ties with Venezuela? Mariana Pacheco Montes: It’s not that the country is falling, it’s just the democratic transition from centre-right to the Left, as in many other countries. Wherever there is democracy, there are transitions, and that is what is going on in Colombia. President-elect has said that he will open a conversation with Venezuela and open relations. That is not to say we haven’t had open and fraternal relations with the Venezuelan people. We have received more than 2 million Venezuelans in Colombia and we have formalized or legalized their status in Colombia. So far 1.8 million Venezuelans are living formally in Colombia. It is what some academicians call the pink tide of Latin America where many of the countries are going towards the left. WION: The recently announced reconciliation report that has been announced is being hailed as a watershed moment in your country’s history. If you can explain to our viewers this report, and also the peace pact that saw Colombia being discussed at UNSC. Mariana Pacheco Montes: Colombia signed a peace agreement in 2016 with FARC which became a political party and some of those members did not follow, did not demobilize and are still in illegality. With regards to members who have followed the demobilization process, there are more than 10,000 members of the former FARC and some of them are members of the senate, and members of the House of Representatives which is a big step and part of the peace accord signed in 2016. The peace accord has a process of 16 years that it has to follow, and the Colombian government called the UN for a verification mission so that every 6 months the minister of foreign affairs goes with the head of the implementation of the peace agreement and reports how the implementation of the peace agreement is going on. As such, since India is a member of the UNSC, it has also has been part of those reports in the last year and a half. WION: How do you see the relationship between India and Colombia going forward? Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very good, I think we are in a very good stage of our bilateral relations and I am very proud as an ambassador that we have come across many bridges, not only in the economic, and cultural space. We are at Casa Colombia, the first cultural centre at the Colombian embassy, and we expanded Indian investment in Colombia. We had a high-level visit, with the Vice President, and Minister of foreign affairs in October, we had MOS MEA Lekhi going to Colombia, and we hope many more happen. Some great tech transfers and investments in pharma companies have happened in Colombia from India. Tech Mahindra, TCS, and Hero Motorcycles are expanding and doing well in Colombia. I see and am proud to be part to be working hand-in-hand in partnership and friendship which has been stronger than ever. WION: What is the cultural link between India and Colombia? Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very much so, not only in music, art and everything. My son is with me here and he is studying Hindustani classical music and he has an Indo-Latino group which is very interesting. We are much alike. At Casa Colombia, we brought an Urban Colombian artist who is painting at Vasant Vihar metro station, so our ties are growing stronger and stronger.

As Colombia gets its first left-wing President, envoy Mariana says it’s a proof of strong democracy

Latin America's new 'pink tide' gains pace as Colombia shifts left; Brazil up next

Colombia has elected its first left-wing President. Gustavo Petro has won #ColombiaVota2022 by securing 50.4% of the vote. Before he entered politics, Petro was a 'guerrilla fighter' in the notorious #M19 group. Palki Sharma gets you his profile.

Gravitas: Colombia elects former guerrilla rebel as President

Colombia has elected its first leftist President after Gustavo Petro wins by 720,000 votes. Meanwhile, 'King of TikTok' failed to gain upper hand in the elections.

'Pink Tide' reaches Colombia as Colombia elects its first leftist President Gustavo Petro

A former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, leftist Gustavo Petro, has won the presidential elections in Colombia on Sunday. He had vowed to bring social and economic change. In the history of the country, Petro is the first progressive to achieve the feat. With a wide margin of 719,975 votes, 62-year-old Petro, who is a former mayor of capital Bogota, won against construction magnate Rodolfo Hernandez. In the polling carried out ahead of the vote, the two were technically tied. Petro got 50.5% votes while Hernandez bagged 47.3%. &nbsp;

In a short video on social media, Hernandez accepted his defeat and said, "As I said during the campaign, I accept the results of this election." &nbsp;

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Petro, who is currently a senator, has vowed to fight inequality with pension reforms, free university education and high taxes on unproductive land. He also looks to come up with a ban on new oil projects. Petro seems to have been tortured by the military when he was detained for involvement with the guerrillas. &nbsp;

The running mate of Petro, Francia Marquez, will become the first Afro-Colombian woman vice-president. She is a single mother and former housekeeper. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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A former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, leftist Gustavo Petro, has won the presidential elections in Colombia on Sunday. He had vowed to bring social and economic change.

A former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, leftist Gustavo Petro, has won the presidential elections in Colombia on Sunday. He had vowed to bring social and economic change. In the history of the country, Petro is the first progressive to achieve the feat. With a wide margin of 719,975 votes, 62-year-old Petro, who is a former mayor of capital Bogota, won against construction magnate Rodolfo Hernandez. In the polling carried out ahead of the vote, the two were technically tied. Petro got 50.5% votes while Hernandez bagged 47.3%. In a short video on social media, Hernandez accepted his defeat and said, "As I said during the campaign, I accept the results of this election." Watch WION's live TV here: Petro, who is currently a senator, has vowed to fight inequality with pension reforms, free university education and high taxes on unproductive land. He also looks to come up with a ban on new oil projects. Petro seems to have been tortured by the military when he was detained for involvement with the guerrillas. The running mate of Petro, Francia Marquez, will become the first Afro-Colombian woman vice-president. She is a single mother and former housekeeper. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Former guerrilla Gustavo Petro wins presidential elections in Colombia

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