Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

• 588: Where is Matavén? Community Tourism in Colombia's distant Orinoco Region

  Where is Matavén, you may well ask? So, this week on the Colombia Calling podcast, we discuss an award-winning community tourism project with people of the Piaroa indigenous community and the Colombian Project. Joining us on the podcast is Camilo Ortega, product manager of the Colombian Project. The Matavén Jungle is the fourth largest Indigenous Reservation in Colombia, with an extension of 1,849,613 hectares and located in the north-eastern area of the department of Vichada, between the Vichada rivers to the north, Orinoco to the east, Guaviare to the south and the Chupave canal to the west. Today it constitutes one of the last refuges of the transition forest between the Colombian Amazon and Orinoquía region. This territory has a great diversity of landscapes and different habitats such as floodplains, large stone hills of the Guyanese shield, or open savannah areas in the middle of its jungles. Its name is due to the Matavén river, which crosses this extensive region in a west-east direction. Approximately 10,500 indigenous people live in the Matavén Jungle, distributed among the Sikuani, Piapoco, Piaroa, Pinave, Curripaco, and Cubeo tribes. This characteristic of multiculturalism that exists in the reservation makes this region a space of great importance for the conservation of the existing natural and cultural heritage. https://www.colombianproject.com   And this week, the Colombia Briefing is reported by Sophie Foggin. Support us:  www.patreon.com/colombiacalling

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• 587: The Final Stretch: Hiking the Andes from Argentina to Venezuela

  In this second part of our conversation with Oliver Treviso, we explore his experiences in the final two countries of Colombia and Venezuela. By all accounts, Colombia and Venezuela were believed to be the most risky countries to hike the Andes in, but what did Oliver experience? And so, Richard McColl of the Colombia Calling podcast continues his conversation with Ollie Treviso, who shares his incredible journey hiking through South America. They discuss Oliver's experiences in Ecuador, the challenges he faced while crossing into Colombia, and the kindness he encountered along the way. Oliver reflects on the dangers he encountered, including a mugging, and the resilience he found in the people he met. The conversation also touches on his experiences in Venezuela, where he was welcomed warmly and even invited to speak at universities. As Oliver contemplates his future adventures, he emphasizes the importance of storytelling and the lessons learned from his journey.   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://substack.com/@ehart

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• 586: 7 countries, 8000 miles, 21 months and 9 pairs of shoes: How Oliver Treviso hiked the Andes

  I came into this conversation thinking that I'd be chatting about the trivialities of an expedition through South America and I left in a state of absolute disbelief and awe. Oliver Treviso is a fascinating and incredible individual who has become the first person ever to hike the length of the Andes through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. In this first episode, we discuss how this adventure came to be...his experience sailing in a catamaran across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Brazil, and by all accounts the boat was hardly seaworthy. Then, a love for South America was kindled and before long, he was back on the continent and hiked for 21 months, for 8000 miles and wearing out nine pairs of shoes. The journey was not without its hazards and dangers, but he made it. We'll record a second episode with Oliver to hear more about his time in Colombia and Venezuela, but for the time being, tune in to an amazing story of human kindness and spirit. Oliver is raising money for, Mind Ystradgynlais, a mental health charity and you can donate here: https://minditv.org.uk/walking-the-andes/   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com Support us: https://patreon.com/colombiacalling

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• 858: 'A truth which cried out loud' - the families still seeking justice for the 'false positives' murders

  This week, Colombia’s special peace tribunal, the JEP, handed down its first sentences to the soldiers who murdered and framed civilians to boost military statistics – killings which came to be known as the ‘false positives.’   The court has ordered those who committed atrocities to work on community projects, to build works in the territories where they left scars, and to face the communities whose rights they violated, as agreed in the 2016 Peace Accord. I’ll be explaining the ruling in this week’s Colombia Briefing along with this week’s other headlines.   To mark this historic ruling, this week’s episode will be an extended and updated audio version of Emily Hart's investigation into those war crimes and the families still seeking justice – an article first published in DG Magazine - read by the author herself.   During Colombia’s civil conflict, the army murdered thousands of civilians - framing them as guerrillas and criminals to boost statistics. In exchange for ‘combat kills,’ soldiers received cash, holidays, and promotions. The official number is 6,402 – though many estimate that the real number is closer to 10,000.  

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• 584: Authentic Cartagena

  Cartagena is the eternal city of Colombian tourism. The Old City, the UNESCO World Heritage ramparts and colonial streets are protected from the ills befalling contemporary Colombia and so, this picturesque and sophisticated destination, with direct international flights from Europe and the United States, is frequently adorning the covers of glossy travel magazines. However, there is more to Cartagena, beyond the chic rooftop bars, the colonial architecture and the incredible restaurants. Travel is different now visitors demand authenticity and experiential options. And, this is where Nina Schlieper of Alternate Travel Cartagena and Bruce McLean of BNB Colombia Tours come in. Working with the local communities and within the area of La Boquilla - a small fishing village outside of Cartagena - Nina's agency works to empower women, teach the heritage and history of the region and generate income and employment in this part of the Caribbean coast. Tune in to this excellent and upbeat episode of the Colombia Calling podcast. https://www.alternativetravelcartagena.com/home/ https://bnbcolombia.com   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart. https://harte.substack.com

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