While the national soccer team was drawing attention worldwide, life in Colombia went on and — while everybody was looking the other way — some important news stories developed.
Juan Manuel Santos reelected in Colombia’s Presidential elections
Incumbent President Juan Manuel Santos was reelected by a margin of over 5% in the second round of Colombia’s elections, defeating Democratic Center Party opposition candidate Oscar Ivan Zuluaga.
MORE: Colombia Electoral Authorities To Recount 14% Of Senate Votes
Drummond and Glencore accused of exporting Colombian ‘blood coal’
The push to boycott “blood coal” exported from Colombia by Drummond and Glencore is gaining momentum in Europe after the publication of a report in which dozens of victims and victimizers testified that the multinational mining companies financed and promoted death squads.
MORE: Drummond Demands NGO Retract Accusations It Funded Paramilitaries
Tourism in Colombia up 12% in 1st quarter of 2014
International visitors to Colombia have increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2014, with more than half a million visitors this year to date, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
MORE: ‘The Best View In The World’: La Piedra Del Peñol
Colombian army under further scrutiny after claimed combat kills prove fabricated
Colombian public prosecutors are investigating an alleged army massacre of which at least one victim was later reported as a guerrilla killed in combat.
MORE: 6 Soldiers Convicted For Involvement In False Positives Scandal
Conservative Party faction wishes to join Colombia’s Santos coalition in congress
Colombia’s Conservative Party announced its intention to join the National Unity coalition supporting President Juan Manuel Santos.
MORE: Former presidential candidate calls for autonomy in Colombia’s Conservative Party
ELN declares 3 days of ‘armed strikes’ in northeast Colombia
Colombia’s second largest rebel group, the ELN, ordered an economic shutdown in the northeast of the country, only days after announcing peace talks with the government.
MORE: Santos Assures Colombia’s Peace Talks With ELN Are ‘On The Right Track’
Colombia Congress rejects free trade deal with South Korea
Colombia’s Congress voted against a signed free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea following disappointing results of a similar deal with the United States.
MORE: Colombia Trade Pact With South Korea Stalled Amid Industry Opposition
Former Colombian Minister Found Guilty Of Embezzling $25M
After a four-year court battle, Colombia’s ex-Minister of Agriculture was found guilty of embezzling $25 million in state subsidies designated for poor farmers.
MORE: Ex-Agriculture Minister Innocent Of Embezzlement: Inspector General’s Office
At Least 81 Children Recruited In 2013, 43 Killed In Colombia Armed Conflict: UN Report
Even as violence in Colombia shows signs of winding down, with peace talks underway between the government and the country’s largest rebel groups, children continue to suffer the direct effects of the 50-year armed conflict, the UN said.
MORE: Colombia asks UN to place key importance on recruitment of child soldiers
Victims Of Wiretapping Scandal Call For Deportation Of Colombia’s Ex-Spy Chief From Panama
Victims of an illegal wiretapping scandal involving Colombia’s former intelligence director Maria del Pilar Hurtado have asked the Panamanian government for her deportation, local media reported on Tuesday.
MORE: Colombia’s Former Spy-Chief To Officially Lose Asylum In Panama, May Be Deported Immediately
