Colombia Risks Losing Hard-Won Ground

War material seized from a dissident group of the FARC, in Cucuta, Colombia, January 2025. Photo credit: REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez.

Colombia was once seen as a success story. Threatened by violent insurgents, the country regained stability and, in 2016, reached a peace agreement with the largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Spanish initials FARC). All this was accomplished with sustained US security and economic support.  Lately, Colombia seems to be moving backwards. […]

Latin American Views on the Gaza War Are in Flux

People hold signs reading "Gaza Free" and "Long live Palestine, beautiful, free and sovereign" at a pro-Palestinian march in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 3, 2023. Photo credit: REUTERS/Tomas Cuesta

In the days and weeks after the October 7 terrorist attack and Israeli military response, some Latin American nations have distanced themselves politically from Israel. While views of the conflict are evolving, the Latin American public’s reliance on social media for news reports, amid relentlessly negative images of suffering in Gaza, has contributed to widespread […]

South America’s Two Leftist Heavyweights Share Goals but Not Tactics

Brazil’s President LuBrazil’s President Lula da Silva holds hands with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in Brasilia, Brazil, January 1, 2023. Photo credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraesla da Silva holds hands with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in Brasilia, Brazil, January 1, 2023. Photo credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

The new presidents of Colombia and Brazil, the two most prominent leaders in South America, are both looking to shake up the status quo – with different playbooks. Colombia’s Gustavo Petro takes a confrontational, boisterous, outspoken, and anti-establishment approach. Brazil’s Lula da Silva (“Lula”) is a pragmatic, conciliatory leader seeking to build broad coalitions around […]