Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

Colombia Risk Analysis director Sergio Guzmán and report author Daniel Quezada discuss their study on the Colombia Calling podcast: "Colombia's Inconsistent Relationship with the Middle East." They examine how shifts in Colombia's Israel policy affect diplomatic credibility, trade and investment, and the country's relationships across the region. We discuss the Petro government, the De La Espriella government, the Gilinski family and much more. How does a US-led/ pro Israel policy benefit Colombia? Tune in for this and the Colombia Briefing with Emily Hart - for subscribers only this week. https://www.colombiariskanalysis.com

"Conflict was not only played out on the battlefield, but also in the symbolic field." Emily Hart and renowned Colombian political scientist María Emma Wills Obregón discuss collective memory, polarisation and conflict resolution - and how a country can weave itself back together after decades of war. So is history always written by the victors? Who is writing Colombia's collective memory? And why does it matter so much?
 
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Scottish lawyer Heather Bain shares her recent trip to Colombia with the Colombian Caravana, highlighting the challenges faced by human rights defenders, the impact of conflict, and the importance of international awareness and advocacy. Catatumbo has a reputation for being a lawless area, and Heather recounts the realities of being there. The group was advised on the importance of clothing colours, as different colours can signify affiliations with various armed groups. Heather shares a tense moment, "I was told to avoid wearing navy because it could be misinterpreted, and there had been an incident with mistaken identity just before we arrived." This sense of danger was palpable, yet the work they were there to do was vital. Heather emphasized the importance of understanding the local context and being guided by their Colombian counterparts. Heather's experiences illustrate the complex and often dangerous landscape that human rights defenders navigate in Colombia. As she advocates for these defenders from afar, she underscores the importance of international awareness and support. In closing, Heather reminds us that the work of the Colombian Caravana is not just about visiting and observing—it's about forming connections and standing in solidarity with those who risk their lives for justice. https://www.colombiancaravana.org.uk

 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
 
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In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Andrei Gómez-Suárez discusses the complex peace negotiations with the Comuneros del Sur in Nariño, Colombia, exploring the historical context, recent developments, and the challenges of peace-building in a region deeply intertwined with illicit economies and social fabric. Key topics: Historical background of Comuneros del Sur and ELN in Colombia. Recent peace negotiations and partial agreements. Territorial control and social fabric of Nariño. Illicit economies and drug trafficking. Impact of peace process on local communities. Challenges of implementing peace agreements. Role of civil society and indigenous groups. Political dynamics and regional elections. Read Andrei Gómez-Suárez's book on his childhood in the midst of political violence in Colombia: https://a.co/d/0h94DhJ4

 
The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.

In this episode, Dr. Gwen Burnyeat explores the fascinating relationship between horses, politics, and identity in Colombia, revealing how equestrian practices reflect broader social and political dynamics. Dr Gwen Burnyeat is Associate Professor in Anthropology and Development at Oxford University. The world of Colombian gaited horses, or cultura caballista (horse-riding culture), is often linked with uribismo, the right-wing identity associated with former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Ethnographic fieldwork in conflict-torn Antioquia reveals how horse-human practices of training, breeding, and competition cultivate orientations toward hierarchical authority, disciplined hypermasculinity, and control over land and living bodies. This occurs within histories of racialized regional identity, paramilitarism, and narco-culture. Read the full article: https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/cultura-caballista-right-wing-political-identities-and-gaited-hor/
 
Tune in for this episode and the Colombia Briefing with Emily Hart.