· July, 2008

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...

23 July 2008

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.

21 July 2008

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.

10 July 2008

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.

5 July 2008

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...

4 July 2008

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.

4 July 2008

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...

3 July 2008