Piedad Cordoba Leaves Colombia after Death Threat

Bogota, Aug. 19 (Prensa Latina) Former Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba left the country after receiving a death threat, sources close to the human rights activist confirmed.

Senator Ivan Cepeda, of the opposition Alternative Democratic Pole, said that Cordoba told him by telephone last night that she was leaving the country because the threats had intensified and her life was in immediate danger.

Colombian FARC Willing to Talk with Gov´t

Bogota,(Prensa Latina) The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) reaffirmed its political will to take the necessary steps toward an eventual peace process that will end the internal armed conflict. In a message signed by the FARC National Secretariat and addressed to participants in a national peace conference, the guerrilla group maintained its willingness to explore the path to dialogue with the government.

Former President Faces Lawsuit in Colombia

Bogota, Aug 9 (Prensa Latina) Former President Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010) on Tuesday was summoned by the Attorney General’s Office after he was sued for slander and defamation charges.

Uribe will appear in court for a conciliation hearing, after political analyst Leon Valencia sued him for libel.

Colombia, Brazil to Boost Trade

Bogota,  (Prensa Latina) President Juan Manuel Santos and former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will open a business forum on Thursday to boost trade between their nations.

The event, organized by the Inter-American Development Bank, will be attended by about 500 business leaders and political authorities from both countries who will tackle business opportunities in the bilateral context.

Colombian President Visits Mexico

Mexico City, Aug 1 (Prensa Latina) Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos begins a state visit to Mexico on the invitation of President Felipe Calderon.

  The two leaders will sign several agreements and review various issues and joint actions, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking, the international political situation and the environment.

Colombia Celebrates 201 Years of Independence

Bogota, Jul 20 (Prensa Latina) The Colombian people are celebrating 201 years of independence on Wednesday with a military parade and a variety of cultural events, for which security was stepped up all over the country.

Corruption Scandal Marks Week in Colombia

Bogota, Jul 16 (Prensa Latina) Disclosures of a vast embezzlement scheme in the Colombian national tax authority involving several officials led the headlines in the local press this week.

President Juan Manuel Santos revealed the scandal, saying that sizeable fraudulent operations were detected in reports on the Value Added Tax collection within the tax authority, the DIAN.

Colombian Guerrilla to Release Prisoners, Former Senator Says

Bogota, Jul 14 (Prensa Latina) Former Senator Piedad Cordoba said that she would soon provide details about the possible liberation of prisoners held by guerrilla forces.

Cordoba, leader of the organization Colombians for Peace, said an anti-war event would be held Aug. 3, and that she would talk about the work of organizations and women who are seeking peace.

Santos highlights Colombia, Venezuela high-level relations

Caracas, 21 Jun. AVN .- The president of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos highlighted this Monday the good relations with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez and the mutual benefit brought to the two countries by restoring bilateral ties on August 10, 2010.

Venezuela Arrests Colombian Wanted by Interpol

Caracas, (Prensa Latina) The Venezuelan Ministry of Interior and Justice Wednesday announced the arrest of Colombian Guillermo Torres, for whom Interpol issued a Red Notice.

According to a statement, the capture took place Tuesday in the southwestern state of Barinas.

Once the procedure was carried out, authorities informed the Government of Colombia and began proceedings to put him at the disposal of the Colombian justice system.

The Red Notice indicates the interest of a national jurisdiction in the arrest of a person wanted by the law, and Interpol’s role is to assist local police forces in identifying or locating those persons with a view to their arrest and extradition.

Colombia Identifies 10,000 Missing in Conflict

Interior minister says 9,969 people were identified by matching their fingerprints with those on Colombia’s National Registry

Colombia’s government has identified the remains of nearly 10,000 people who were buried in unmarked graves throughout the country, victims of decades of conflict in the South American nation between leftist rebels, right-wing militia’s and government forces.

Venezuela, Colombia parliaments to strengthen relations

Caracas, 11 May. AVN .- The parliaments of Venezuela and Colombia will create groups of friends made by deputies of each legislative body since next week, with the aim to strengthen relations, informed this Wednesday the chairman of Venezuela”s National Assembly, Deputy Fernando Soto Rojas.

WikiLeaks: Colombia Used US Drones to Monitor Guerrilla

Washington, Mar 24 (Prensa Latina) A cable released by WikiLeaks revealed that since 2006, Colombia has used U.S. unmanned airplanes to monitor the .

The U.S. ambassador in Bogota, William B. Word, described in a report how and with what purpose the Colombian armed forces used the so-called drones against the guerrilla.

Cuban Donation Arrive in Colombia

Bogota, Mar 15 (Prensa Latina) Some 17 tons of aid from Cuba including medications and sanitation materials arrived in Colombia to help soothe the damages caused by a severe winter.

Colombia: Uribe Implicated in Scandal over False Demobilizations

Bogota, Mar 7 (Prensa Latina) Former President Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010) was linked to a scandal over false demobilizations of alleged paramilitaries in 2003, according to new disclosures by former paramilitary chief

Wikileaks Questions Veracity of Colombian Army Operation

Bogota, Feb 21 (Prensa Latina) Revelations released by Wikileaks question the truthfulness of Operation Jaque (Check), presented by the Colombian Government as a perfect military maneuver in 2008 that led to the rescue of 15 people held by the guerrillas.

Colombia Resumes Humanitarian Operation

Bogota, Feb 16 (Prensa Latina) The release process for two detainees held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was resumed Wednesday, after the Brazilian helicopter taking part in the operation took off for a point in the Colombian jungle.

Colombia: FARC-Released Councilor Calls for Peace

Florencia, Colombia, Feb 11 (Prensa Latina) Councilor Armado Acuña, released on Friday by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), called for national unity to achieve peace in the country.

Preparations Underway for Further Prisoners Release in Colombia

Bogota, Feb 7 (Prensa Latina) Former Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba travels to Brazil on Monday to meet with Brazilian pilots who will take part in a humanitarian operation in Colombia set to begin Wednesday.

Countdown Begins for Release of Colombian Detainees

Bogota, Jan 31 (Prensa Latina) The countdown begins Monday for the unilateral release of five prisoners held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), after former Sen. Piedad Cordoba said everything was ready.

Uncertainty Prevails over USA-Colombia FTA

Washington, Jan 29 (Prensa Latina) The uncertainty on the Free Trade Treaty of the United States with Colombia continues despite steps taken by Colombian Vicepresident Angelino Garzón to achieve their prompt ratification.

Colombian President Cuts Short Europe Tour

Bogota, Jan 28 (Prensa Latina) President Juan Manuel Santos cut short a European tour and was expected back in the country today after a coal mine tragedy that killed 21 miners.

UN Assigns Aid to Colombia and 14 Countries

United Nations, Jan 19 (Prensa Latina) The United Nations assigned emergency humanitarian aid of U.S. $ 84 million to 15 countries, including Colombia, to combat hunger, malnutrition, disease, conflict and displacement.

The information was released by the UN coordinator for such assistance, Valerie Amos, who said that the resources come from the Central Emergency Response Fund.