Stories about Colombia from July, 2008
Colombia: Continued Support for Suso
Catalina Restrepo of Cosas del Alma [es] updates readers on the continued efforts by members of the ConVerGentes blogging community in Medellín, Colombia in support of Suso, a local resident who had been living in poor conditions.
Colombia: Freedom March Around the World
After the rescue of 15 high profile hostages held in the FARC's power on July 2nd 2008, the same group that organized the last global march on February 4th against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) decided that there should be a another one on July 20th, the day when Colombia's Independence from Spain is celebrated. The following videos and photographs show the way this Independence celebration and liberation march was celebrated around the world, and also some of the contrasting thoughts regarding the meaning of nation and freedom.
Colombia: Google in Support of Colombia
Google displayed a Colombian flag on its main search page in support of peace in the country notes Café GuaGuau [es].
Colombia: 60th Anniversary of Professional Football
Rafa XII of equinoXio provides some historical details regarding the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Colombian Professional Football league.
Colombia: Humane Group Protests Circus Animal Cruelty
AHURA, the Humanitarian Association for Animal Rescue, peacefully protested last Monday in Bucaramanga against the Mexican Circus, part of the Hermanos Gasca circus company who uses animals as part of their act. On their FaceBook cause page, they tell of how in Pereira, another city in Colombia, the protests achieved the liberation of a small elephant who will now be free of reported abuse and will stay in a zoo. Videos of circus animal abuse in the region have made their rounds on the internet, sparking protests and confusions as to what is really going on in the circuses that are visiting Colombia.
Colombia: The Release of Alf Onshuus Niño
Otra Expresión [es] reports that Colombian-Norweigan Alf Onshuus Niño was recently released by the FARC in an act unrelated to the recent rescue of 15 hostages. The blogger at Balada del Elefante Azul [es] also mentions this and is especially meaningful since he has blogged about the kidnapping of his...
Colombia: Hostage Rescue Raises Concerns
After the rescue dubbed as “perfect” by liberated former Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was rescued by the Colombian army on Wednesday July 2nd along with 14 other hostages being held captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for up to 10 years in some cases. The Colombian community has been voicing concerns about the repercussions the rescue might have, and what interests might have been behind it.
Cuba: A FARC Cry
Cuban blogger Machetera questions the timing of the rescue of French/Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt. And, she says, the comments of this high profile hostage show Ms Betancourt's experiences with the FARC guerillas, “left her with no greater understanding of the Colombian conflict than when she was seized on her presidential...
Colombia: Íngrid Betancourt and Other Hostages Rescued
Colombian bloggers praise the government for the military operation that rescued 15 hostages held by the FARC, all without a single shot being fired. This has proven to be yet another blow to the guerrilla group. Others analyze the media coverage provided to the event saying that Betancourt's rescue overshadowed the other 14 hostages.
Americas: Region Celebrates Rescue of Betancourt and Other Hostages
The entire Latin American region celebrated with the people of Colombia upon hearing the news that ex-Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages were rescued. In the operation named “Jaque,” Betancourt, 3 U.S. citizens and 11 members of the Colombian forces were freed after the rescue attempt. Bloggers from many countries throughout Latin America shared the excitement and wrote their own personal reflections.
Colombia: Reactions to the Hostage Rescue from the Bogotá Airport
Juliana Rincón of Medea Material [es] writes about finding out about the new of the rescue of the Colombian hostages through Twitter, and also the reaction of the people in the Bogotá airport, “The people at the El Dorado airport in Bogotá applauded, cried, and said hooray with the news.”
Colombia: Making Up for Lost Time
Tienen Huevo [es] celebrates the freedom of FARC hostage Ingrid Betancourt in Colombia. He writes that “we are waiting to make up for lost time,” and previews her possible return to politics.
