Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Emily Hart about her extensive reporting - for a piece in Delayed Gratification magazine -  on the phenomenon of Colombian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. 
 
They discuss the complexities of recruitment, the motivations behind these young men joining foreign conflicts, and the harsh realities they face on the battlefield. 
 
The conversation also touches on the economic factors driving these decisions, the impact on families left behind, and the ethical implications of such recruitment practices. 
 
Emily shares poignant stories from her interviews, highlighting the human cost of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. 
 
The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications of these conflicts and the importance of human stories in journalism.
 
UN warns: over 10,000 Colombians recruited as mercenaries in the past decade. 
 

Tune in for this and the Colombia Briefing. 

https://substack.com/@ehart?

An in-depth analysis of Colombia's upcoming presidential elections, polling dynamics, candidate strategies, and potential US intervention impacts. We speak to Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis (www.colombiariskanalysis.com) about the candidates and their vice presidential picks, the government of Gustavo Petro, outlook for the elections, US interference in Colombia's elections and further items of interest. In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, we're breaking down the latest polling data and its implications. Polls have changed significantly since new regulations were introduced, creating confusion and speculation. Many candidates are vying for attention, but how accurate are these polls? The reality is that the upcoming elections are unpredictable. The difference between urban and rural polling could distort the real sentiments of voters. With a mix of new candidates and political dynamics, it's crucial to assess the actual voting trends rather than just relying on polls.

 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com/

Blending travel writing, history and reportage, our guest on this week's Colombia Calling podcast is award-winning journalist and author Shafik Meghji who tells a tale of footballers and pirates, nitrate kings and wool barons, polar explorers and cowboys, missionaries and radical MPs. From a ghost town in one of the world's driest deserts to a far-flung ranch in the sub-polar tundra; rusting whaling stations in the South Atlantic to an isolated railway built by convicts. '[An] appealing fusion of travelogue and history, excavating the roots and remnants of British influence in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.' - The Observer 'This is travel writing as much as history. Meghji has the true travel writer's eye for the comic, pathetic and tragic, and for the places where they collide. . . This is writing full of rust, wind and sadness. It captures splendidly the air of South America and the long, withdrawing roar of an empire whose influence once reached far beyond its political borders.' — The Times So tune in to hear our conversation with Shafik. https://www.shafikmeghji.com/
 
And, the Colombia Briefing is reported by Grace Brennan.

Join host Richard McColl as he explores the rich Wayuu culture and language of the Guajira region in Colombia with Dr. Paul McAleer. Discover insights into indigenous traditions, linguistic preservation, and community impact through innovative workshops and cultural projects. Check out the Akuaipa Artisans store: https://akuaipaartisans.com

 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.

On 8 March, Colombians voted in primaries and congressional elections — electing candidates for 102 Senate seats, 182 House seats. Turnout in the election was notably low but marked a slight increase from the 2022 elections. 
Colombia's leftist ruling party, the Pacto Histórico, won the majority of seats in the Senate — 4.3 million votes (22.8 per cent) that translates to 25 seats. They were followed by the rightwing Centro Democrático which increased its representation to 17 seats in the Senate, with 15.6 per cent of the vote. 
But neither secured a majority, highlighting the fragmented nature of Colombia's political landscape. The next president, whoever it is, will have to negotiate with lawmakers to push through a legislative agenda. 
Richard McColl of Colombia Calling and Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports discussed the results on this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast. 
The Colombia Briefing by Emily Hart is for subscribers only this week.