Wanderlust

Tag: colombia

  • Colombia’s new president Iván Duque: Puppet or rock superstar?

    Newly elected Colombian president Ivan Duque celebrates with supporters in Bogota, after winning the presidential runoff election on June 17, 2018. Image copyright AFP Symbol caption Iván Duque received through 12 share points

    “A jovial determine lending a fresh face to conventional conservative politics.”

    that may be one way Colombia’s media have defined Iván Duque, the man citizens have selected as their new president.

    But at the same time as the FORTY ONE-yr-antique is seen as a breath of clean air by a few, others are involved in regards to the way forward for Colombia’s peace settlement following his win in Sunday’s election.

    The candidate for the right-wing Centro Democrático (Democratic Centre) party has said he’ll revise aspects of the November 2016 peace take care of the now-demobilised Farc (Revolutionary Militia of Colombia) rise up group.

    Mr Duque argues that the peace deal is simply too lenient on former guerrilla combatants accused of warfare crimes.

    Image copyright Getty Photographs Image caption Mr Duque shares the same conservative ideology as his mentor, former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe (left)

    Mr Duque has described Mr Uribe, who remains an impressive power in Colombian politics, as his mentor.

    It was with Mr Uribe’s endorsement that Mr Duquie was decided on via the Democratic Centre to be its presidential candidate.

    Under Colombia’s constitution, Mr Uribe was now not allowed to hunt re-election and lots of of Mr Duque’s critics argue that the newly elected president could be guided and even managed through the ex-leader.

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    At The Same Time As Mr Duque publicly professes loyalty to Mr Uribe’s conservative ideology, he insists that he’s going to make his personal choices.

    “i am no longer a puppet and he Uribe isn’t the puppeteer,” he instructed Colombia’s Blu Radio ultimate month.

    Rock tune fan

    Mr Duque gained convincingly within the 2d round with 54% of the vote, in opposition to FORTY TWO% for his left-wing rival, Gustavo Petro.

    Symbol copyright Getty Images Symbol caption Ivan Duque’s rival for the presidency was Gustavo Petro

    Lots Of those who voted for Mr Duque mentioned they preferred what they saw as his “marketplace-pleasant” manner.

    Whilst his supporters spotlight his approachable persona – Mr Duque led a rock song band while in highschool – critics say he lacks the political enjoy required to steer the Latin American nation.

    They argue that his opposition to sides of the peace care for the Farc could lead on to a reigniting of the armed struggle that raged for many years in Colombia.

    A technocratic background

    Iván Duque was born into a smartly-off, politically hooked up family from the capital, Bogotá. His father used to be governor of Antioquia province and later minister of mining and energy.

    Image copyright Getty Pictures Image caption Mr Duque’s critics have prompt he lacks political revel in

    He graduated with a law degree from Sergio Arboleda School in Bogota and also studied legislation and public management within the US – at American University and Georgetown College in Washington DC.

    He has written 4 books, mostly curious about financial problems, and served as adviser to then-minister of finance Juan Manuel Santos, who later become president.

    Mr Duque served on the Washington-based Inter-American Construction Financial Institution (IDB) before coming into politics 4 years in the past, when he used to be elected senator for the Democratic Centre birthday party.

    During his victory speech he promised to unite the rustic after a marketing campaign that highlighted sharp divisions among the best and left.

    Mr Duque will take over from President Santos in August.

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  • Iván Duque: Colombia’s new president sworn into place of business

    Colombian President Ivan Duque delivers a speech during his investiture ceremony at the Bolivar Square, in Bogota, Image copyright AFP Image caption He was Colombia’s youngest elected chief after being sworn in at Bogota’s Bolivar Sq.

    Colombia’s newly-elected President Iván Duque took workplace on Tuesday, pledging to unite the rustic and enhance financial growth.

    The conservative political newcomer used to be elected in June after a divisive election marketing campaign where he saw off left-wing rival Gustavo Petro.

    In his inaugural address, the former legal professional pledged changes to take on corruption and invigorate the economy.

    The chief has also vowed to switch the peace handle the Farc insurrection group.

    The outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos has suggested Mr Duque to recognize the deal, which was negotiated in 2016 to convey an end to the country’s brutal 5-decade civil struggle.

    Symbol copyright AFP Symbol caption Professional pictures were launched of the brand new president and his family

    Mr Duque additionally spoke in regards to the wish to heal the country after a divisive election marketing campaign in advance this year.

    The Centro Democrático (Democratic Centre) celebration candidate beat opponent Gustavo Petro by way of 12 issues in June – successful the run-off election with FIFTY FOUR% of the general vote.

    “i want to control Colombia with unbreakable values and concepts, overcoming the divisions of left and right, overcoming with fashionable dialogue the prickly emotions that invite social fracture, i would like to manipulate Colombia with a spirit to build, never to damage,” President Duque stated in his address.

    His political platform is thought of as business-pleasant after he pledged to cut taxes and spice up investment in Colombia’s economy.

    Mr Duque, who at FORTY TWO is the youngest elected Colombian president ever, was once handpicked as birthday party chief by means of founder Álvaro Uribe Velez, who himself used to be president from 2002 to 2010.

    Mr Uribe is still lively in politics, but resigned from his senate seat in July to stand a bribery and fraud research in the Preferrred Court.

    Mr Duque’s running mate, Marta Lucía Ramirez, has become the country’s first ever feminine vice-president.

    The new president assumes energy at a time of heightened stress with neighbours Venezuela. Earlier this week President Nicolas Maduro accused the outgoing Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos of being chargeable for an apparent try to assassinate him at an army adventure in Caracas.

    The allegation was once described as “baseless” by Bogota.

  • Colombia shoot-out kills 8 in space hit by way of revolt feud

    A soldiers stands guard in a streets of Tibu, in the region of Catatumbo, Norte Santander Department, in north-eastern Colombia, talk to a woman and a girl on April 27, 2018. Image copyright Getty Pictures Image caption The Catatumbo area has long been one in all the hardest hit through armed battle

    Eight people were killed in a shoot-out in north-east Colombia.

    Armed males on bikes arrived at a billiard hall in the village of El Tarra in Norte de Santander province and opened fireplace on the ones inside.

    The area on the border with Venezuela has been hit through a feud between the Nationwide Liberation Army (ELN) riot staff and a holiday-away faction, the popular Liberation Military (EPL).

    Thousands of individuals have been displaced as a results of the preventing.

    who’re the ELN rebels?

    Image copyright Getty Photographs Symbol caption The ELN staff has been combating the Colombian state for greater than 5 a long time The guerrilla workforce used to be founded in 1964 to battle in opposition to Colombia’s unequal distribution of land and riches, impressed by means of the Cuban revolution of 1959 Over the a long time, the group has attacked large landholders and multinational corporations, and time and again blown up oil pipelines To finance itself it has resorted to extortion, kidnappings and drug trafficking It has been most powerful in rural areas

    Colombia’s president-pick, Iván Duque, who shall be sworn into workplace subsequent week, condemned the assault on Twitter.

    Image Copyright @IvanDuque @IvanDuque

    Mr Duque used to be elected in June and one among his primary marketing campaign pledges was to extend safety.

    He has additionally expressed his competition to peace talks between the ELN and the government pronouncing he could make negotiations conditional at the ELN ceasing its assaults.

    ELN peace talks: What are the demanding situations? Iván Duque: Puppet or rock superstar?

    Monday’s incident took place in Catatumbo, a space with minimal police and armed forces presence. It has been hard hit by way of the struggle between the ELN and the EPL for regulate over drug trafficking routes to Venezuela.

    Human rights teams say the conflict has led to tens of thousands of students lacking out on class as faculties quickly close their doors because of the escalating violence.

    Colombia’s primary revolt staff, the Progressive Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), signed a peace settlement with the government in 2016 and a few of its former combatants have considering that joined Congress.

    But analysts say reaching a take care of the smaller ELN group may just prove tougher as it is less hierarchical and ideologically much less versatile than the Farc.

    in the period in-between, the military has been deployed to Catatumbo to spice up safety.

  • Colombia’s hunt for elusive drug lord Otoniel

    Undated picture of a hut used as a hide-out by Dairo Antonio Usuga David Symbol copyright Semana Image caption Police found luxurious pieces within the huts used as a cover-out by the leader of the Usuga clan, Dairo Antonio Usuga

    Widescreen TELEVISION sets attached to satellite tv for pc dishes, dear drinks and perfumes – these are only a few of the luxurious items Colombian police have present in huts in the in a different way terrible rural area of Uraba, in western Colombia.

    The huts, and the luxury items inside of, belong to Dairo Antonio Usuga David, higher known as Otoniel, one in all essentially the most wanted men in Colombia.

    Lately a few 1,2 HUNDRED individuals of the safety forces are chasing the elusive gang leader.

    That is greater than double the 500 who hunted Pablo Escobar, the drug lord who managed the infamous cocaine cartel of the similar identify.

    Crime syndicate

    Otoniel runs the Usuga extended family, a drug gang that has its powerbase in the Uraba region of Colombia, however whose community extends across the country and beyond.

    Image copyright Colombian police Symbol caption Otoniel has been eluding police capture

    Members of the gang were arrested as far away as Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Peru and Spain.

    The US Department of State describes it as a “closely armed, extraordinarily violent felony organization”.

    it’s offering as much as $5m (£3.4m) for information leading to Otoniel’s arrest.

    Otoniel has been to blame for the reason that his brother, Juan de Dios, used to be killed on 1 January 2012 while police raided his New Year’s Eve party.

    Family ties

    The gang is first and best engaged in drug trafficking, nevertheless it has additionally been accused of extortion, unlawful mining, compelled disappearances and homicide.

    it’s a great deal a circle of relatives industry.

    Otoniel’s spouse, Blanca Senobia Madrid Benjumea, was accountable of the group’s funds until her seize last month.

    Symbol copyright Colombian police Image caption Blanca Senobia Madrid Benjumea was captured in February

    His nephew, Harlison Usuga, sorted the drug traffic routes north to Crucial The Usa and liaised with Mexican drug cartels until he, too, used to be captured in February.

    Over the past five years, the safety forces have captured a whopping 6,700 members of the group.

    However its leader has avoided them so far.

    Final month, they launched an important and dear operation to trap the elusive gang chief.

    Assets associated with the operation say $225,000 was spent on monitoring down Otoniel within the first 25 days of the hunt.

    the people tasked with arresting him had been given clear orders from President Juan Manuel Santos and Defence Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon: Don’t leave Uraba till you have got caught Otoniel and feature dismantled the entire extended family.

    So a ways, the security forces have seized 5.5 tonnes of cocaine, and destroyed a bunch of coca plants and laboratories that turn leaves into cocaine.

    However they’ve but to search out Otoniel.

    Local knowledge

    His uncanny ability to stay clear of the safety forces is in part because of his circle of relatives’s shut ties to the area.

    Image copyright Reuters Image caption Colombian safety forces have deployed Black Hawk helicopters for the hunt

    Otoniel was once born in Uraba and knows the area just like the back of his hand.

    most significantly, via threats and intimidation he has received nearly overall control over the local community.

    While he called on locals to down tools to mark his brother’s loss of life at the hand of the police, the area came to a standstill for a couple of days.

    Whilst other folks in the area pay attention Otoniel’s identify discussed, they react with concern.

    it’s exhausting for the security forces to gain folks’s consider right here, and it’s one thing they have got no longer yet fully controlled.

    Evasive tips

    Moreover, Otoniel makes use of a wide range of tricks to prevent the police.

    He has skilled dogs to alert him to any individual approaching his conceal-outs.

    Police just lately managed to seize one of his protect dogs and have educated him to move after Otoniel’s.

    Oto, as police have known as the poacher turned hunter, is definitely conversant in his former grasp’s smell and is regarded as a superb addition to the workforce tracking him down.

    Image copyright Semana Image caption Police wish Oto can help them observe down his former master Image copyright Semana Image caption Otoniel uses orthopaedic mattresses because a herniated disk provides him again pain

    The police have come just about Otoniel several occasions, finding in a number of cover-outs the unique orthopaedic mattresses he uses to ease again pain from a herniated disk.

    They hope their search will soon yield effects and that they’ll have the ability to send Otoniel to the confines of a top-safety jail the place he is not going to experience such comforts.

  • Colombia’s Alvaro Uribe steps down to face fees

    Alvaro Uribe, casting his vote in elections Bogota, Colombia May 27, 2018 Image copyright Reuters Symbol caption There has been hypothesis over the reasons behind Mr Uribe’s decision to stand down

    Colombia’s powerful former President Alvaro Uribe has resigned his Senate seat to face a bribery and fraud research in the Supreme Court.

    He Is observed because the power at the back of the country’s incoming President, Ivan Duque, who’s as a result of take place of work in August.

    Mr Uribe, who was once president from 2002 to 2010, faces fees of creating false accusations and witness tampering.

    It is the first time a Colombian court docket has asked an ex-president to testify.

    Alvaro Uribe’s exit from the Senate eliminates a vocal critic of the peace deal signed with the Farc rebels in 2016, which ended greater than 50 years of armed warfare.

    Symbol copyright Getty Images Image caption President Juan Manuel Santos (centre) signed the 2016 peace care for the Farc

    His 8-yr presidency used to be marked by means of his onerous-line stance against the guerillas, who killed his father in 1983. Mr Aribe has at all times called for more difficult treatment for former Farc rebels within the courts.

    Why did Mr Uribe surrender?

    In a Tweet on Tuesday, Mr Uribe mentioned he felt “morally impeded to be a senator” and explained that he was resigning to ensure that “my defence doesn’t interfere with the paintings of the Senate”.

    However, his determination has prompted press speculation about his real purposes for leaving workplace.

    In Colombia, the Perfect Court is accountable of investigations towards elected officials, even as abnormal voters are investigated by means of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

    According to his critics, Mr Uribe’s resignation will help him to circumvent being known as before the Ultimate Courtroom.

    The instances in opposition to him are more likely to be transferred to Colombia’s notoriously corrupt and inefficient Public Prosecution Provider.

    Why is Mr Uribe being investigated?

    The case that led to the Ideal Court investigation started in 2012, while the former president accused leftwing lawmaker Ivan Cepeda of orchestrating a plot to hyperlink him to proper-wing paramilitary groups.

    however the Excellent Court disregarded the fees towards Mr Cepeda and stated that it appeared Mr Uribe had threatened witnesses.

    Symbol copyright Getty Pictures Symbol caption Ivan Cepeda defined the case towards Mr Uribe as “an excessively essential precedent”

    Mr Cepeda hailed the Excellent Court Docket’s decision to press charges towards Mr Uribe as a historic milestone.

    “Uribe was thought to be untouchable and all tough till the day before today. This marks an excessively important precedent,” he mentioned.

    Alvaro Uribe and his family have lengthy been accused of paramilitary involvement but earlier investigations haven’t borne fruit. The circle of relatives has denied all links.

    Mr Uribe’s brother, Santiago, is currently waiting for trial for allegedly working a paramilitary group identified because the Twelve Apostles.

    Paramilitary teams in Colombia had been in the beginning funded by way of landowners to offer protection to them from left-wing rebellion teams such because the Farc.

    However, they later changed into feared death squads linked to rural massacres, drug trafficking and sexual violence.

  • Peru arrests 50 in Colombia border medicine bust

    Mr Vizcarra supervises the operation in Putumayo Image copyright Reuters Symbol caption Mr Vizcarra (C) said Peru meant to “protect its territory”

    Safety forces in Peru have arrested greater than 50 other people in the remoted jungle area of Putumayo within the first week of a 60-day state of emergency.

    President Martin Vizcarra stated on a trip to the region, at the border with Colombia and Ecuador, that 4 drug production amenities were found.

    He stated so much of these detained had been from Colombia.

    Peru has mentioned it fears that dissident Colombian Farc rebels try to establish a presence in the area.

    The operation followed a chain of attacks by means of Farc rebels on safety forces in neighbouring Ecuador.

    Image copyright Reuters Image caption more than 50 other folks have been arrested

    “We’re company, we’re transparent, we’re going to shield our sovereignty and our territory,” Mr Vizcarra said.

    The Colombian government agreed a peace care for Farc rebels in 2016 after more than 50 years of conflict.

    However about 1,200 Farc warring parties have refused to lay down their hands and have carried on drug trafficking actions, the Colombian authorities say.