I am a Colombian digital journalist. I usually write for equinoXio digital magazine and used to carry The Colombia Herald, “one of the best examples of a “bridge blog”” David Sasaki “has ever seen” ;) Currently I'm trying to make some room on my busy schedule for Global Voices and for the recently started equinoXio english edition.

Email Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez

Latest posts by Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez

Colombia: FARC Leader “Sureshot” is Confirmed Dead

After countless false claims of the death of the FARC's top leader Manuel Marulanda Vélez aka "Sureshot," the Colombian government confirmed that he passed away in March of natural causes. Colombian bloggers were quick to react and provide their thoughts on what this means for the future of the guerrilla group, the future presidential elections, and Sureshot's legacy.

30 May 2008

Colombia: FARC Laptops Reveal Ties to Politicians and Foreign Governments

The laptops found in the FARC guerrilla camps were sent to Interpol for independent analysis. The findings, which were leaked to the press, reveal some disturbing ties to foreign governments and some Colombian politicians. However, some Colombian bloggers think that the leaked information has become too political in nature and that one should not necessarily jump to conclusions based on the leaked information.

28 May 2008

Colombia: 60th Anniversary of the Murder of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

Many Colombians believe that if charismatic Colombian Liberal Party leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán had not been shot and killed on April 9, 1948, he would have become President of Colombia in 1950, and maybe the fate of this troubled South American country would have been quite different. Colombian bloggers remember the man and observe some of the commemorative events in the capital, Bogotá.

10 April 2008

Colombia: Reward for FARC Guerrilla for Killing His Commander

Shortly after the death of FARC leader Raúl Reyes, it was revealed that another high ranking member of the guerrilla forces, Iván Ríos was also killed. It was assumed that the Colombian army also was responsible, but Ríos' bodyguard carried out the killing and sought to claim the reward promised by the government. Colombian bloggers present arguments for and against these rewards. Some are pleased that another criminal has been eliminated, while others think that this reward should only serve for tip-offs and that any criminal should be tried in court.

21 March 2008

Colombia: Uribe vs. Supreme Court

Colombian President Álvaro Uribe is facing an investigation by the country's Supreme Court following accusations that he ordered the killing of a paramilitary warlord sparking a controversy between the head of state and the top judicial court. Colombian bloggers react to public opinions and the way that Uribe is publicly handling the allegations. The Colombian media is the target of attention from the blogosphere.

16 October 2007

Colombia: Bogus Earthquake Alarm in Bogotá

A prank was recently played on the entire city of Bogota, in which an individual called several companies indicating that a massive earthquake to strike the capital city. The false alarm sent many scurrying for safety and left the phone lines of the local seismology center at the point of collapse. Some Colombian bloggers and forum members provided the reminder that earthquakes cannot be predicted and lamented the fact that many Bogotans were unprepared in the event of a real emergency.

8 September 2007

Colombia: Moncayo's Walk for Hostage Release

Pablo Emilio Moncayo was kidnapped by FARC guerrillas in December of 1997. His father, schoolteacher Gustavo Moncayo, decided to walk with his daughter from his hometown to Bogotá to seek a "humanitarian exchange", or a prisoner swap of around 50 kidnapped individuals, including his son. Moncayo entered Bogotá on Wednesday, August 1, where he later met with President Alvaro Uribe. The events that transpired caused many reactions from Colombian bloggers, many of whom felt empathy for Moncayo's plight and humanity.

9 August 2007

Colombia: Protests Against Kidnappings

Following the death of 11 deputies, who were kidnapped by the FARC, Colombians took to the streets to demand the release of the remaining hostages. Several Colombian bloggers were present at the march and they provide firsthand accounts. Others write about the impact of such a show of solidarity and whether this may be the end of apathy.

11 July 2007

Colombia: Uribe's Bittersweet Visit to Washington

Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez started a three-day visit to Washington, seeking support for Plan Colombia and the US Congress' approval of the Free Trade Agreement. Instead of he was met with protestors accusing him of links to paramilitary forces responsible for the death of unionists. Some bloggers criticized the Colombian media for "covering up" the president's poor week.

7 May 2007

Colombia: The disappointing debate on paramilitarism in Antioquia

Yesterday finally the long awaited “debate” on paramilitarism in Antioquia department, where President Álvaro Uribe was born and was Governor from 1995 to 1997, was held at the Colombian congress. There was a lot of interest on the topic, because opposition senator and former M-19 guerrilla leader Gustavo Petro had said he would reveal a list of 2,000 figures allegedly involved with paramilitarism.

19 April 2007