COLOMBIA: Secret Documents Show US Aware of Army Killings in 1990s

Declassified U.S. documents show that the CIA and former U.S. ambassadors were fully aware, as far back as 1990, that the military in Colombia - the third largest recipient of U.S. aid after Israel and Egypt - were committing extrajudicial killings as part of "death squad tactics."

COLOMBIA: Conditions in Place for New Hostage Release

Nearly three weeks after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) announced that they would release six hostages, the government of right-wing President Álvaro Uribe has agreed to provide security guarantees for the operation, which is expected to take place this month.

RIGHTS: Mercenaries At Large in Colombia

Mercenaries hired by private military and security companies are playing an increasingly broad range of roles in Latin America, such as guarding mines, borders, prisons, and now humanitarian aid, said the members of the United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries at a meeting in this Swiss city.

COLOMBIA: New Meaning in Life for Young Shantytown Dwellers

After three of Viviana’s friends were killed, and one of them dismembered, she began to think things over, and decided to join the Legión del Afecto project in Colombia, leaving six years of gang life behind her.

Q&A: Killing of Native Leader’s Husband “Was a Planned Operation”

At 5.30 AM the fog was just starting to lift in the freezing cold mountains of eastern Cauca, in southwest Colombia, when indigenous leader Darío Tote came across the red pickup truck riddled with bullet holes. At the wheel was Edwin Legarda, who was critically wounded.

COLOMBIA: "There Was No Checkpoint" Where Army Shooting Took Place

Colombian soldiers killed the husband of a leading indigenous activist Tuesday when they opened fire on the pickup truck he was driving.

RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: Activists Celebrate Being Heard at UN

Activists from more than 1,000 human rights groups and other civil society organisations who followed the live Internet transmission of this week’s United Nations Human Rights Council’s review of the situation in this country at a university auditorium in the Colombian capital shared the sensation that their voices had finally been heard.

RIGHTS: Harsh Language for Colombia at UN Review

Experts at multilateral forums usually begin their speeches with diplomatic words praising some aspect of the country or government under examination, before delivering their barrage of criticism.

RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: A Special Case for the UN

Whether for its extreme violence, its potential for undermining order in a large part of society or its effects on the United Nations human rights system, Colombia is at the centre of attention of the international community.

Q&A: “We Need a Popular Movement, to Win the Elections”

Wherever there are minorities or marginalised groups in Colombia, or the rights of women are violated, you will find Senator Piedad Córdoba.

COLOMBIA: Deforestation and Deluge, a Recipe for Disaster

The lack of policies against indiscriminate deforestation in river basins, in synergy with the rainy season, which is heavier than usual this year because of the La Niña climate phenomenon, has had devastating effects in Colombia.

COLOMBIA: Financial Scandal a Hurdle to Uribe’s Re-election

Five thousand people chanting anti-government slogans in the Colombian capital’s central Bolívar Square reflected the sharp fall in popularity of right-wing President Álvaro Uribe, whose bid to reform the constitution to allow him to run for a third term in 2010 has suffered serious setbacks in Congress.

RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: When Terror Wears a Uniform

Herminia Lizarazo did not know what to respond when her seven-year-old grandson told her "Grandma, I want to know what the army is for." The boy, whose two uncles belong to the army in Colombia, wanted to wear a military costume for Halloween.

ECUADOR-COLOMBIA: No Thaw in Sight

The cancellation of a meeting between delegates of Ecuador and Colombia aimed at restoring diplomatic ties, which were broken off in March, shows that it will be an uphill battle - especially with the latest round of mutual recriminations this month.

Q&A: The Truth Is Slowly Coming Out

At 11:40 AM on Nov. 6, 1985 there were more than 300 people in the Palace of Justice, which lines one side of Bolívar square in the Colombian capital, when 35 guerrillas belonging to the 19 de Abril Movement (M-19) seized the building.

COLOMBIA-US: Will Democrats Bury Free Trade Deal?

Ratification by the United States Congress of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia appears to be further away than ever, due to the victory of president-elect Barack Obama, who has declared his opposition to the treaty, and to the effects of the financial crisis.

U.S.: Coca Cultivation Up Despite Six Years of Plan Colombia

Despite the expenditure of nearly five billion dollars in U.S. military, security, and economic assistance, the cultivation of coca leaf and production of cocaine in Colombia actually increased between 2000 and 2007, according to a major review by the U.S. Congress's independent investigative agency.

COLOMBIA: Rights Groups Want "Body Count" General Investigated

Human rights groups are insisting that the resignation of Colombia’s army chief must not stand in the way of an in-depth investigation of the numerous human rights abuses in which he is implicated.

RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: Army Chief Steps Down

General Mario Montoya stepped down as Colombia’s army chief, putting an end to his career Tuesday. The general is under investigation by the attorney general’s office, although he has not yet been charged.

RIGHTS-COLOMBIA: UN Warns of Civilian Killings by Military

The extrajudicial executions that are being committed by government forces in Colombia constitute crimes against humanity, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said at the end of her six-day fact-finding tour of this South American country.

COLOMBIA: Native Protest Continues Despite Talks with Uribe

In his meeting with indigenous protesters Sunday, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe did not give in to any of the movement’s main demands, and the demonstrators decided to continue their protest, which is in its fourth week.