Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

On this week's episode, Richard McColl of Colombia Calling and Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports dissect the results of Colombia's first round of presidential elections, so you don't have to! 
 
How and why did the far-right "outsider" Aberlardo de la Espriella win? Why were the polls wrong about Ivan Cepeda on the left and what happened to Paloma Valencia? Tune in to this and the Colombia Briefing with Emily Hart.

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, social entrepreneur Francis Gillis shares his journey from the medical cannabis industry in Canada to establishing a premium cigar brand in Colombia. Discover the nuances of Colombian tobacco, the craft of cigar making, and the vision to put Colombia on the global cigar map. With Bribon cigars, he and his business partner have focused on quality and craftsmanship and have opened a cigar factory in Barichara, Santander, that has garnered attention both locally and internationally. The journey hasn't been easy, but seeing the revival of cigar craftsmanship in Barichara has been incredibly rewarding. www.briboncigars.com

 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Mathew Di Salvo.

Join us as we explore the critical state of Colombia's tropical dry forests with researcher Maria Isabel Arce Plata. Discover the ecosystem's unique characteristics, the threats it faces from deforestation, climate change, and human activity, and the hopeful strategies for conservation and community involvement.
 
Tropical dry forests are among the most endangered ecosystems globally, yet we rarely hear about them. With rainfall patterns shifting due to climate change, these forests are facing unprecedented challenges. In Colombia, the remnants of these forests have dwindled to less than a million hectares from an estimated 9-11 million!
 
Tune in to this week's Colombia Calling podcast and to the Colombia Briefing reported by Emily Hart.

This episode of the Colombia Calling podcast explores the complex relationship between Canadian mining interests and Colombia's post-conflict landscape, highlighting historical conflicts, foreign influence, and human rights issues. We speak to Lital Khaikin, a freelance journalist and writer currently based in Montréal, who has deeply investigated this topic. Canadian mining companies have increasingly set their sights on Colombia, attracted by its rich mineral resources. However, this influx has raised significant concerns regarding human rights abuses and environmental degradation. The conversation with Lita Khaikin reveals the intricate web of issues surrounding Canadian mining in Colombia. As we delve deeper into these topics, it becomes clear that raising awareness and holding companies accountable is crucial for the future of affected communities. As listeners, consider how you can stay informed and advocate for change in the extractive industries. Important links: "Blood of Extraction" fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/blood-of-extraction This article by independent journalist Garry Leech come up during research : https://nacla.org/plan-petroleum-putumayo/ The Global Witness report on land defenders killed globally : https://globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/at-least-146-land-and-environmental-defenders-killed-or-disappeared-globally-in-2024/ This is a report about Indigenous peoples in Putumayo by the Observatorio de Derechos Territoriales de los Pueblos Indígenas : https://www.cntindigena.org/situacion-territorial-de-los-pueblos-indigenas-en-el-departamento-del-putumayo/ Two episodes to recommend : "566: Peacebuilding Cannot Happen Without Security: Why the Killings of Social Leaders in Colombia Continues" : https://soundcloud.com/colombiacalling/566-peacebuilding-cannot "580: Truth Demands: Murder, Oil Wars, and Climate Justice" : https://soundcloud.com/colombiacalling/580-truth-demands-murder-oil Article by Lital Khaikin on Putumayo that gets into Indigenous land rights : https://wagingnonviolence.org/2025/04/inside-the-indigenous-land-back-movement-in-colombia/ And this one with NACLA: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/10714839.2025.2542084
 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.

Explore how Boris Spiwak, CEO of Qash, is transforming Latin America's financial landscape with US dollar accounts using blockchain technology. Discover the impact of stablecoins, regulatory compliance, and the rapid growth in digital financial services across Colombia, Venezuela, and beyond. Learn how stablecoins can provide financial stability in Latin America amidst economic challenges. Hear insights from Boris Spiwak, CEO of Qash, on democratising US dollar access on this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast. In Latin America, financial instability is a pressing issue that affects individuals and businesses alike. With high inflation and currency devaluation, many are searching for reliable solutions to safeguard their wealth. In this episode we'll explore how stablecoins, particularly through the innovative platform Qash, are revolutionising access to US dollar financial services in the region. We'll uncover key insights from my conversation with Boris Spiwak, the CEO and co-founder of Qash, which is making strides in democratising financial access for everyday people. https://www.qash.ai/

 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.