Soldiers patrol a road in Tibu in Colombia's northeastern Catatumbo region, January 20, 2025, where dozens have been killed amid clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
COLOMBIAN President Gustavo Petro said on Monday that he will declare a state of emergency over the guerilla attacks in the north-east that have killed dozens of people and forced thousands to flee their homes.
In a message on X, Mr Petro said that he will “declare a state of internal commotion,” a measure that enables the executive branch to pass certain kinds of legislation without congressional approval for three months.
The measure will go into effect after a decree is signed by the president and his cabinet, but it can also be invalidated by Colombia’s constitutional court.
With Petro, Colombia has been making huge strides towards peace — but is all that at risk with the elections next year? MARK ROWE reports back after joining a delegation to the Latin American country
Colombia’s success in controlling the drug trade should be recognised and its sovereignty respected, argues Dr GLORY SAAVEDRA
Alvaro Uribe is found guilty of witness tampering and procedural fraud, reports NICK MACWILLIAM