A single afternoon of terrorist massacres in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca and Antioquia departments has left at least 19 people dead and dozens injured, exposing the emptiness of President Gustavo Petro’s controversial “Paz Total” (Total Peace) policy. The coordinated assaults, attributed to FARC dissidents, underscore the escalating power of illegal armed groups and their deep-rooted control over vast swaths of the country, fueled by a booming cocaine trade that now surpasses levels seen during the era of Pablo Escobar.

In the southern city of Cali, a truck bomb detonated outside the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Force Base on Thursday afternoon, killing at least six civilians and injuring more than 70 others. The powerful explosion, which occurred at approximately 2:50 PM, ripped through a bustling commercial area, leaving a trail of destruction. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and horror, with victims strewn across the street and buildings reduced to rubble.

Hours earlier, in the rural northern municipality (in Colombia, a “municipality” is somewhat equivalent to a county) of Amalfi, Antioquia, a helicopter carrying police officers engaged in coca crop eradication was taken down by an explosive-laden drone. The attack, which claimed the lives of 12 police officers and a civilian, was a chilling demonstration of the evolving tactics and military capacity of the armed groups operating in the region.

The attacks have been widely condemned by national and local officials, who have called for a decisive response to the growing wave of violence. President Gustavo Petro, who campaigned on a promise of achieving “Total Peace” through negotiations with the country’s various armed factions, traveled to Cali to oversee the government’s response. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the president attributed the Cali bombing to the Carlos Patiño Front, a dissident faction of the former FARC guerrilla group, and described it as a “terrorist reaction” to recent military operations against them.

However, critics argue that the “Total Peace” policy, which has included ceasefires and negotiations with groups like the National Liberation Army (ELN), Segunda Marquetalia, and the powerful mafia organization, the Clan del Golfo (also known as the Urabeños), has emboldened these organizations, allowing them to expand their territorial control and illicit economies.

Andrés Julián Rendón, the governor of Antioquia, confirmed that the downed helicopter in his department was providing air support for a coca eradication mission. In a public statement, he lamented the loss of life. He called for a more forceful approach to combating the drug trade, which he identified as the primary driver of violence in the region.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro campaigned on a promise of “Total Peace” but guerilla groups are thriving during his term, showing no interest in ceasing crime or terrorism.

The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutierrez, echoed these sentiments, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and calling for national unity in the face of the growing security crisis. In a recent meeting with US senators, Gutierrez highlighted the interconnectedness of drug trafficking, terrorism, and corruption, and the need for a comprehensive strategy to address these challenges.

In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder announced a reward of up to $400 million COP (approximately $90,000 USD) for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the air base attack. “Cali is once again the victim of a narco-terrorist attack,” he declared, ordering the militarization of the city to restore order. Eder also confirmed the capture of two individuals believed to be members of the Jaime Martínez front of the FARC dissidents, who are now in the custody of the Fiscalía General de la Nación.

The acting governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, has also been vocal in her condemnation of the violence, urging a united front against organized crime. “We must work together against this crime,” she stated in a recent interview, highlighting the need for greater coordination between local and national authorities.

The recent attacks have cast a long shadow over the Petro administration’s security policy. While the government has touted record cocaine seizures in 2025, with 601 tons confiscated so far, coca cultivation has also reached historic highs. This paradox suggests that while law enforcement efforts are having some success in interdicting drug shipments, they are failing to address the root of the problem: the relative impunity protecting the narco-mafias, who have enjoyed legitimacy under the Petro administration as negotiating partners. Rather than eradicating the criminal mafias, President Petro has treated them as diplomatic delegations that have come to negotiate as legitimate civil society actors.

The flourishing drug trade has provided a financial windfall for groups like the FARC dissidents and the ELN, allowing them to recruit (often forcibly) new members, acquire sophisticated weaponry such as attack drones, and challenge the authority of the state in a way not seen in years. The use of an explosive-laden drone to down a helicopter is a particularly ominous development, signaling a new level of technological sophistication among these groups.

As the country mourns the victims of these latest attacks, a difficult question hangs in the air: Will President Petro, a former guerrilla himself, abandon his soft-on-terrorism “Total Peace” policy and allow the country’s security forces to persecute these narco-criminals? Nothing in his record says “yes.” Colombia has less than a year until the next president is inaugurated. Colombia experimented with its first leftist president in modern history, who promised “total peace,” but as the mafia groups that plague Colomba are gaining power like it’s the 1980s, as political assassinations have returned to the case of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, Colombians may turn back to a more hard-line leader who can promise eradication of narco-mafias and the cocaine they produce, while hopefully respecting human and civil rights better than some past administrations.

Video credit: infoLibre YouTube.

The Nordic country of Sweden has been in the news quite a bit recently in Colombia. Yes, Ikea has been establishing a presence in Bogotá and Medellín, and the Grupo Familia consumer packaged goods company is now part of Essity, but notably, Colombia has chosen to upgrade its 1970s era tactical fighters with Saab Gripen fighter jets manufactured in Sweden. The price tag has not been announced on the deal, but several years ago, the Colombian government had earmarked $678 million USD equivalent in the national budget for the aircraft acquisition. The deal value certainly now significantly exceeds this.

What many people may be unaware of though, is that the countries have a 150 year bilateral diplomatic history together. The countries’ ties go far beyond merely commercial ventures. A 19th century Swede even was appointed governor by the fledgeling government after Colombia gained independence from Spain. Sweden has several cultural, peace-building, civil society, and humanitarian initiatives both in Colombia and throughout the Andean region.

Ambassador Helena Storm made time in her busy schedule to speak with Loren Moss, the executive editor of Finance Colombia, where they discussed the bilateral relationship, Storm’s impressions of the country over her time here, and the potential for deepening ties between the two countries.

Finance Colombia: I’m here with Helena Storm, Her Excellency, the Ambassador of Sweden in Colombia. First, I want to thank you very much for making time for us. I know that the life of an Ambassador or any diplomat is very busy. And so it’s an honor to speak to you here briefly. So first of all, thank you.

Helena Storm: Well, thank you very much for inviting me, Loren.

Finance Colombia: I want to talk about Colombia and Sweden having a 150-year-old bilateral relationship. It’s not often the noisiest relationship. You know, like a lot of countries in the news and things like that, for sometimes good reasons, sometimes bad reasons. But of course, Sweden has a strong global reputation for quiet diplomacy and things like that. But tell me, what are the ties that bind Sweden and Colombia? And are there notable examples of collaboration or cooperation going back over the years?

Helena Storm: Yes. Well, as you pointed out, Sweden and Colombia have very good bilateral relations. And last year, we celebrated 150 years of bilateral relations. I mean, that’s 150 years of formal bilateral relations, formal diplomatic relations. Before that, we had relations with Colombia. People-to-people relations and even contacts between the two governments go beyond. Already from the liberation of the country, Sweden was here, and we were present. We had a count, a Swedish count fighting with Simon Bolivar to liberate the country. He was then appointed the first governor of Mompox by Simón Bolívar.

At this time, we had several important Swedish families migrating to Colombia, one of them very well-known, and they’ve been active in many areas of Colombian society. It’s the Familia De Greiff. So we have this tradition of people-to-people relations. And since I would say maybe three, four decades now, we have been very engaged in this Colombian peace process.

In all the formal attempts that have been executed, negotiating between different groups and the Colombian government, Sweden has been present, supporting these talks in different ways. So, a durable peace in Colombia has been part of the main kind of activities that we’ve had over the last decades in Colombia.

Yes, so it’s a strong relation. And we also celebrated the 150th anniversary with the visit of President Gustavo Petro to Stockholm, where we signed a joint declaration of bilateral partnership between Sweden and Colombia. And I would say this partnership kind of sets a new scene for our relations.

Finance Colombia: Absolutely. If I’m not mistaken, there is even a street in Medellín named after De Greiff. I never made the connection until just now, so every day you learn something, as they say. And speaking of President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Stockholm, I want to congratulate you guys. I’m from the US, and Lockheed Martin was there. But that’s an impressive accomplishment. You guys beat out lots of different competitors, all of them worthy. Of course, all of us are partners with Sweden and with the EU. And we’re all allies.

 But first, congratulations to Sweden and Saab on winning the deal to replace Colombia’s fighters, which are from the early 70s, the tactical fighter fleet. And so, how long have you guys been working on that deal? And how big is that deal? People don’t realize outside of aviation that there’s the price of purchasing the hardware, the aircraft, but there are long-term service contracts that go on for decades after; it is a whole program. So maybe if you could elaborate on that, and obviously, that’s a commercial deal, but the way that these things work, it’s a hand-in-hand thing with the government, and everyone is working together. So I’m sure that occupied a lot of your time in the past few years.

Helena Storm: Well, thank you for that comment. And obviously, we are very happy and proud of the fact that Colombia chose the Swedish company Saab to replace their fighter fleet. And these kinds of decisions are long-term; they take a long time to make. So I think we have been discussing this with the Colombian government, and Saab has been offering a solution from their company since Santos’ time in government. I think that’s when they started to look at the replacement of this fleet. And this is normal. This is how long these kinds of acquisitions take. And, as you say, we have a great respect for our competitors, the other countries and companies that were also putting in offers. We are very proud that they chose Saab.

And as you pointed out, this is a long-term relationship for us. We are not looking for clients, we are looking for associates, allies, and friends. And with this kind of agreement, we have the opportunity to reinforce all three of these aspects with Colombia. And so right now we are in the process of identifying the details of this agreement.

Finance Colombia: That’s good to hear. And so also, I understand that part of the package… And Sweden has always been, as have your other Nordic neighbors, really involved in social efforts across the globe and have been leaders in that. And I understand that part of this package, you know… fighters are necessary in the real world. But there’s also, you know, we always have that perennial conflict of guns or butter, as they say. But I understand that part of this package includes a significant investment and efforts by Sweden in Colombia’s Atlantic region, which is a region that suffered a lot of neglect and a lack of investment, and things like that. And I don’t remember the details. Maybe you can fill us in. What’s that social part of the commitment that you guys have agreed to?

“Colombia is such a rich country in culture, history, and nature. I mean, it’s just amazing.” – Helena Storm

Helena Storm: Well, as you said, these kinds of acquisitions are accompanied by an offset program. And the offset program is an agreement to transfer technology and transfer knowledge, so we can multiply, actually, the investments in Colombia. And it’s up to the Colombian government and the Colombian society to identify in which areas, in which sectors, they would like the investments when it comes to technology, and the transfer of knowledge and technology.

And as I said, we are in the process of identifying this part of the offset program, it’s as you call it, direct and partly indirect. And the indirect part, that’s what you are referring to, I guess, when it comes to the social investments. And this is right now being identified and discussed between the Colombian Ministry of Defense and the company Saab.

Finance Colombia: Great. Besides aviation, besides, obviously, Saab, besides the Gripens, what are the primary bilateral trade links between Colombia and Sweden? Has there already been a significant amount of ongoing import and export between the two countries in terms of what Sweden buys from Colombia, and then what products does Sweden export to Colombia? Maybe if you can speak to the trade that has already existed.

Helena Storm: Yes, of course. Well, we have had trade between our nations for over a century. And today, the exports from Colombia to Sweden mainly consist of fruits, flowers, and coffee. And the exports from Sweden to Colombia mainly consist of different pharma products, technology in general, and vehicles and auto parts. And we are trying to increase now, together with the Colombian side, the export possibilities from Colombia to Sweden. We just had a delegation of 20 Colombian companies to look at export possibilities in Sweden.

I went with them and we visited various actors in Sweden in the first week of June. And this was an initiative by my colleague, the Colombian ambassador in Stockholm. We are working very much hand in hand to increase the Colombian exports to Sweden. The numbers are not showing the reality, because when it comes to the trade, much of the trade goes via another European before it comes to Sweden, or before it exits Sweden, which in the statistics does not show Swedish imports from Colombia, or Swedish exports to Colombia. So, the numbers, that’s why I don’t go into numbers, but there has been a significant interest from Swedish companies to increase their presence in Colombia. We have, give and take, 100 Swedish brands and companies in Colombia.

They generate more than 25,000 direct jobs. We’ve also had big investments since I came here. One investment was the company Essity acquiring El Grupo Familia. We have had the inauguration of three IKEA stores in Colombia.

Finance Colombia: Thank you. Thank you, by the way! Thank you. A big fan, of course.

Helena Storm: Yes, thank you very much. No, but it’s an important commitment. We also have the company Zelestra, which is owned by a Swedish investment fund that has invested $300 million USD in two solar parks. And they are now discussing another investment in La Guajira. They have investment plans for several hundred million dollars more until 2027. That’s in the renewable energy sector. We also have other Swedish companies here, a big multinational that every year invests in Colombia to strengthen their position here and strengthen innovation policies that they have here.

I was recently in Rionegro to inaugurate a redistribution center, the second biggest in the world, which the company Essity has just built and inaugurated in Rionegro. That’s also a big investment of at least 35 million dollars. We also invest in the waste-to-energy sector, where we are also taking part from the government side, where we, for example, have financed feasibility studies to increase the possibility of investing in this sector for Swedish companies.

Finance Colombia: That’s impressive. I know about your Rionegro facility. It’s just a few minutes away from where I live here in Rionegro. Yeah, you know, lovely area. I can tell you, it’s kind of funny. So many times before, when I would travel to Miami, just back to the US, whether it’s on business or whatever, and stopping at the big IKEA there near the airport, and carefully weighing my luggage and being sad because things were too heavy to bring back. I remember just writing the article several years ago when we first heard that IKEA was going to open its first store in Bogotá, and now in Envigado. And just aside from being a journalist, just personally excited. And so really very happy for you all.

 You know, I know that is a company of national pride, but then even for us as consumers, so happy about that. Renewable energy is a big area, as well as the strategic investments that you’ve made in companies like the paper companies, like Familia, which makes consumer packaged goods and things like that.

Beyond commerce, are there bilateral cultural or social initiatives to strengthen the people-to-people ties between the two countries? I know sometimes I’ll talk to people and, you know, it’s a little bit different in English compared to Spanish, but I found people get tripped up pronouncing in Spanish, of course, Sweden, with Switzerland, and things like that. It’s like, no, you know, it’s a quiet country because they don’t make bad news. You know, it’s one of those countries that are, and I know you guys are proud of this, quietly doing good things and have a great reputation.

 But tell me about some of the people-to-people ties that you have and the bilateral initiatives that you guys have on an ongoing basis with Colombia.

Helena Storm: Well, thank you. We have in our embassy here in Bogotá two strategies for development cooperation, one bilateral for Colombia and one regional for the whole Latin American region. We manage both of these strategies from the embassy in Colombia. By the way, the Swiss embassy in Colombia is the second biggest in the region after Washington. So it kind of shows how we prioritize Colombia in our bilateral relations. And these two development cooperation strategies have priorities. For the Colombia strategy, our priorities are climate change and environment, peace building, and the third priority is democracy, human rights, and gender equality. And these are kind of the three main focuses for our work when it comes to development cooperation.

And we have several initiatives that also foster these people-to-people relations, and are also working very much hand-in-hand with the private sector to kind of use the Swedish development cooperation as an engine for economic growth. We have several programs for that. I won’t go into detail here, but I could if you want to.

We also work with education, vocational training for youth, and women, within these programs. And regionally, one program that I want to highlight is our mining program, which promotes sustainable mining in the region. And the Colombian chapter of that program was inaugurated or launched a couple of months ago, in May.

So it’s a recent addition to our efforts when it comes to sustainable mining. And in all our programs, we try to always have a gender equality perspective, because Sweden is a country where we highlight the importance of gender equality in all sectors in everything that we do. So gender equality is one of these priorities that we’ve been working on for the last five years that I’ve been here, and also before. But we’ve had numerous activities with exhibitions in the parliament, the Colombian Congress. We will inaugurate one very soon with the mayor’s office in Bogota, where we also highlight the men’s role when it comes to gender equality.

Another area where we have strengthened our bilateral relations recently is the cultural area. Sweden has, since I came, been twice a partner country for FILBo 2021 and 2022. We were also the invited country for the EuroCine Festival 2024. We’ve financed several documentaries that show the civil society’s engagement in peacebuilding and the role in the conflict, in the Colombian conflict. We’ve done that with various of our partners. ICTJ, which is the International Center for Transitional Justice, has been one of the partners, and UN Women another.

We have also strengthened our cooperation through the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogotá, where we have a Swedish head director, musical director. And this orchestra went to Sweden during my five years here. I think it was 2023 or 2022. They traveled the whole orchestra to Sweden to showcase the quality of a Latin American Philharmonic Orchestra. And that was a very successful visit. So we are now planning a new visit to the Nordics for this orchestra in 2026. Unfortunately, after I’ve left, but yeah, maybe it will take place in the Autumn of 2025.

But anyway, these are very important areas of people-to-people relations that we’ve been working on. We’ve also brought Swedish artists here, singers, groups. One example that I want to highlight is Jon Henrik Fjällgren, who came and performed during COP16. And he is part of the Swedish native population, the Sami. But he was adopted from Colombia from an indigenous community in Colombia. So he has a double indigenous identity. He was born as an indigenous baby here in Colombia and then adopted by a Sami family in Sweden. And he has been reconnecting with his Colombian roots. And he is a very famous artist in Sweden, and he won our version of Sweden’s Got Talent. So it’s also been very emotional, I would say, the two visits that he made to Colombia during my five years. And to see how he had been fostering also a rapprochement between our indigenous groups, and how we can engage in further dialogue with them and foster further respect for their traditions and cultures.

Finance Colombia: You bring up an interesting point. A lot of times, I know growing up in the US, and I’m from the Midwest, where we do have a significant Nordic population. But it’s easy to forget how integral it is to society. I don’t even know why, but for some reason, we tend to remember the neighbors in Finland, that they have a significant indigenous population. But of course, Sweden does as well. I don’t know why we unfortunately tend to forget that. But that sounds like an amazing, not just collaboration, but just a story, just life history. And that brings me to ask, like you mentioned, your posting is mature here, and I’m sure that you’ll move on soon.

 But during your time as ambassador, what accomplishments and activities are you most proud of? Not when you look at your resume or when you talk to the foreign minister, but when you talk to friends and family, what are you most proud of about the things that you were able to touch during your time here in Colombia?

Helena Storm: Oh, that’s a very difficult question. But I’m very proud of the footprint that Sweden has left in Colombia. I’m very proud of the association many or the majority of the Colombians have when I travel in the territories, because as an ambassador, I’ve prioritized traveling in Colombia, and to visit the territories, not only working from Bogotá. Colombia is not Bogotá. Colombia is an extremely diverse country. And most of the people that I meet in the territories associate Sweden with support for peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, and gender equality. And I think we have been able during these five years to increase that footprint in Colombia. And I think that’s what I’m most proud of.

And also, obviously, the 150 years of bilateral relations were a unique moment to show that we were the first country to support the first verification mission that came to Colombia to support the peace process in 2004, I think it was, with the establishment of MAPP/OEA, the Organization of American States Verification Mission in Colombia. Sweden was the first country to support financially and politically that they came to Colombia. We created MOE with the actual director of MOE now. MOE is the observation of the electoral organization in Colombia. I would say it’s an organization; it’s an NGO in that sense. It’s not a governmental organization, but it is the organization with the most respect from all parties when it comes to reliability in election monitoring.

We also have supported the territorialization or the expansion of La Defensoría, which is kind of the Ombudsman office in Colombia that was introduced in the 1991 Constitution. Ombudsman is a Swedish word. So the whole idea of the Ombudsman’s office is a Swedish invention, so to speak. And I think the Defensoría is maybe the Colombian institution, the government institution with the most presence in the territories all over Colombia. And as we know, much of the conflict that still occurs here in Colombia occurs due to the lack of official representation, the presence of official institutions around the territory. So that’s another example of how we’ve been working very long term to try to contribute to peacebuilding.

Finance Colombia: I understand. And you’ve been very generous with your time. I’m grateful. Last question for you. What will you miss most about your time? You may come back to visit, but I mean, your time here living in Colombia, what will you miss most about it? And maybe, not so much politically, but you know, really speaking as people, what can the people in the two countries maybe learn from each other?

Helena Storm: Well, that’s a super difficult question because there’s so much that I will miss. Colombia is such a rich country in culture, history, and nature. I mean, it’s just amazing. So obviously, all of that, the strength of the Colombian civil society, I think I’ve never experienced such resilience and strength from civil society. But actually, it’s funny that you say that, because this weekend, I was doing kind of my last errands in Bogotá, and I was panicking a bit, because I said, “Oh, my God, I have to fit now all the Colombian artesanía,” as you say it here, “that I can fit in my suitcase.” Since I came, I’ve been buying handcrafted things from all the territories, and I always wear Colombian artesanía.

Today, I’m wearing an earring from Choco, made by a women’s organization in Choco. And you know, this is one small example of how you can create conditions to sustain yourself economically and empower women economically around the world, just a small example. But I have a huge collection of these, and I was like, “How will I be able to maintain this collection when I travel back to Sweden?” So that’s one of the things I will miss to travel around the territories, talking to different people, women in these territories, trying to make a living, trying to change, trying to construct a future for themselves and their communities.

And I think that kind of resumes what I will… You know, something that I’ve noted during these five years it’s the talent of the Colombian people and the talent of the workforce. It’s also one of the explanations why we have such an interest from Swedish companies to come here and establish here, the talent of the Colombian people. And I think when it comes to learning things from each other, I think Swedes maybe should learn to be a little bit more relaxed, not to plan everything, and that things may turn out great, even though you don’t have 100% control over every step and every detail. And maybe Colombians can learn to have a little bit more structure and a planning horizon.

Finance Colombia: Ambassador, thank you so much for your time. It’s been an honor to speak with you. Best of luck on your future postings and the rest of your career. I’ll certainly endeavor to stay in touch. We appreciate it. And I want to make sure that your staff knows that we want to do a better job of covering Sweden’s activity here in Colombia.

 Sometimes, as journalists, we can be lazy and write about what the US is doing, or what Spain is doing, or what happened next door in Venezuela. But we want to be sure, because we know that there are so many countries like Sweden that, aside from trade and commerce, are doing good works and contributing not just to Colombia, but to the region. And we want to make sure to communicate those things that you all are doing. And again, thank you. I’m tremendously grateful.

Helena Storm: Thank you so much. Thank you.

Every year, thousands of professionals fly into Medellín for meetings, conferences, and corporate visits. They land at José María Córdova International Airport, check into hotels in El Poblado, attend back-to-back meetings, and often leave as quickly as they got into meeting rooms.

But what if they stayed just one night longer?

That extra 24 hours could open their eyes to a city that is not only a rising economic center of activity, but also a living example of urban transformation. Medellín is no longer a city you pass through — it’s a city you learn from.

A City Rebuilt with Purpose

We all know that in the early 1990s, Medellín made headlines for all the wrong reasons. It was a city affected by violence, drug trafficking, and fear. But today, it stands as one of Latin America’s most inspiring turnaround stories.

Over the past two decades, Medellín has become a model of urban renewal and smart public investment. Public and private sectors have worked together to rebuild the economy, improve infrastructure, and create inclusive spaces. The result is a city that now attracts international business, top talent, and a growing number of visitors.

One of the strongest symbols of this change is Ruta N, in the city’s innovation district. This tech-driven ecosystem has brought in over 400 companies from more than 30 countries, from startups to multinationals in clean energy, mobility, health, and advanced manufacturing.

Medellín is no longer just competing with Bogotá or Cali. It is positioning itself as a gateway to the Andean region and Pacific markets.

Infrastructure That Drives Inclusion

Unlike many cities, Medellín’s infrastructure does more than move people — it connects lives and economies. The Metrocable, an aerial cable car system, links poor hillside neighborhoods to the city center. The Tranvía de Ayacucho and Bibliometro Line go beyond efficiency; they bridge historic gaps in access and opportunity.

Public libraries, sports complexes, and innovation hubs are placed strategically across all zones of the city, ensuring that economic growth is also social growth. Medellín calls this Social Urbanism, and it has become a model studied by city planners across the world.

Most importantly, this is not just theory. It’s a working city model. The Unidad Deportiva de Miraflores, for example, offers youth in high-risk areas a place for sports, learning, and leadership. It’s a real alternative to crime: a core part of Medellín’s development plan.

A Culture of Innovation That Extends Beyond the Boardroom

Innovation in Medellín is not limited to tech parks. It’s in the DNA of the city. It’s in Comuna 8, where grassroots initiatives have reshaped entire communities. It’s in Villa Hermosa, a district once affected by violence, now alive with urban gardens, murals, and micro-businesses.

It’s in the art of Comuna 13, where graffiti tells stories of pain, survival, and hope — and where visitors can walk alongside locals who helped drive the transformation.

Staying longer allows the business visitor to see this for themselves. Not through data, but through experiences that bring the numbers to life.

The Museo Casa de la Memoria: Learning From the Past

One of Medellín’s most powerful cultural spaces is the Museo Casa de la Memoria. Here, interactive exhibits share the stories of Colombia’s conflict and the human cost of the drug war. It is not a place of blame, but of understanding.

Business travelers often spend time trying to understand market risk, political context, and social trends. A visit here does that in one afternoon. It’s a direct look at how a country confronts its past while building a better future.

This museum is often the final stop on city tours that show both the historic scars and the healing now underway. It gives voice to the victims and gives visitors a deep respect for the city’s resilience.

Why One Extra Day Matters

Medellín is efficient, modern, and business-friendly. It has strong universities, a talented, growing bilingual workforce, and competitive operating costs. It has world-class hotels and modern meeting spaces.

The city also has something you can’t see on a spreadsheet — a spirit of reinvention.

When you stay longer, you see that Medellín is not just trying to look like other global cities. It’s building something different. Something that balances profit with purpose.

One extra day can be a strategy, not a luxury. It’s a way to understand clients better, build trust, explore new partnerships, and witness a city that’s leading by example.

Medellín: More Than a Business Trip

This is not about squeezing in a few tourist sites after hours. It’s about understanding the bigger picture of Colombia’s economic future. Medellín is playing a leading role: not just in innovation, but in inclusion. Not just in strategy, but in soul.

So the next time business brings you to Medellín, pause before booking the return flight. Let the city speak to you through its streets, its people, and its projects. In just 24 more hours, you might discover why Medellín is Latin America’s most quietly powerful success story.

Photo credit: César Gaviria/Pexels.com.

Grupo LATAM has implemented a new feature enabling passengers to share the location of their bags via Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) “Find My” network. The integration is intended to improve efficiency in locating and recovering delayed baggage.

The functionality allows LATAM passengers using an AirTag or a compatible “Find My” accessory to securely and privately share an item’s location with the airline. The process is initiated by the passenger through the “Find My” app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

According to a company statement, LATAM Airlines Group’s Vice President of Customers, Paulo Miranda, indicated that the airline transports over 40 million pieces of luggage annually. He noted that despite a loss rate approximately 50% below the industry average, delayed baggage remains a critical concern for customers.

In the event of a delayed bag, a passenger can generate a shareable link from the “Find My” app. This link can then be submitted to a delayed baggage report via SITA’s self-service website. SITA is a technology provider for the air transport industry.

Shawn Gregor, president of SITA Americas, stated that the company’s “Baggage IT Insights report” for 2024 showed a nearly 15% decrease in baggage incidence rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, which he attributed to investments in smart technology. Gregor added that with global air traffic growing, the company “welcomes LATAM’s initiative to implement this solution with AirTags and SITA WorldTracer.”

The location sharing feature automatically ends once a customer finds their bag or after seven days. The user can also manually stop sharing at any time. The process is end-to-end encrypted and anonymous, which means Apple and accessory manufacturers on the “Find My” network cannot view the location or other user data. The feature requires devices to be running iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS 15.2 or later.

LATAM baggage. Photo credit: LATAM Airlines.

The Colombian peso (COP) depreciated by 1.9% month-over-month in July, a development attributed to several interconnected factors on both the international and domestic fronts, according to a report from Bancolombia‘s International and Foreign Exchange Analyst, Maria Paula Gonzalez Rodriguez. The depreciation coincided with a strengthening of the US dollar, a decrease in global tariff-related uncertainty, and local fiscal policy signals.

The US dollar’s global appreciation significantly drove the peso’s performance. The Dollar Index (DXY) rose by 3.2% in July, supported by a more hawkish stance from the US Federal Reserve (Fed), solid economic data from the US, and new international trade agreements. The Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee maintained the federal funds rate at 4.25%-4.50% for the fifth consecutive time, a decision that analysts cited as contributing to the dollar’s strength. US economic indicators, including retail sales, industrial production, and second-quarter GDP, surpassed expectations. GDP grew by 0.7% compared to the first quarter, exceeding the 2.5% annualized estimate.

Looking ahead, Bancolombia projects the USD/COP exchange rate to trade between $4,000 COP and $4,200 COP over the next month.

July also saw the US finalize trade agreements with several partners, including Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the European Union. Negotiations with China also resumed. These developments were noted as a factor in reducing global trade-related uncertainty, which, in turn, supported the dollar.

On the domestic front, the proposed 2026 General Budget (PGN 2026) raised concerns regarding Colombia’s public finances. The budget, which is set to increase to $557 trillion COP, faced scrutiny for a planned rise in primary spending and its reliance on assumptions of lower interest payments and higher revenues. The fiscal figures, revised within a short timeframe, contributed to increased market uncertainty and a higher risk premium for the country.

In the foreign exchange market, the USD/COP pair traded in a range between $3,949 COP and $4,205 COP during July, closing the month at $4,181 COP. This represented a $79 COP increase from the end of June. Daily trading volume averaged $1.2 billion, with an average of 1,928 transactions per day. The average intraday volatility was $46.5, which was in line with the year-to-date average.

Looking ahead, Bancolombia projects the USD/COP exchange rate to trade between $4,000 COP and $4,200 COP over the next month. The forecast maintains a depreciation bias for the peso, citing an elevated risk premium. The report also highlights international trade policy as a dominant factor, noting upcoming deadlines for reciprocal tariffs and a temporary tariff reduction agreement with China. Furthermore, the Central Bank of Colombia’s decision on July 31 to maintain its policy rate at 9.25% is expected to create upward pressure on the year-end rate. It may enhance the appeal of carry trade strategies, posing a downside risk to the peso.

Colombian Peso. Photo credit: Mano Chandra Dhas.

NG Energy International Corp. (TSXV: GASX) (OTCQX: GASXF) has announced the commencement of drilling at the Aruchara-4 well at the Maria Conchita block in La Guajira, Colombia, and an increase in production at the Sinu-9 block in Córdoba, Colombia.

At the Maria Conchita block, the Aruchara-4 well is being drilled to a total depth of 10,000 feet. The well targets the Jimol formation and aims to develop the H1A and H1B accumulations. The company will also explore the potential for reserve and resource extension in the H2 AA section and H3 and H4 fractures, and test the limestone formation on top of the well’s basement. The well is expected to be completed and tied in by the end of September 2025.

After the drilling of Aruchara-4, the rig will be used for a workover and recompletion of the Aruchara-3 well to address a downhole mechanical obstruction. The company will then proceed with the drilling of the Aruchara-5 well.

At the Sinu-9 block, gross production has reached 22 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d). The company is completing the installation of dew point handling equipment at the Central Processing Facility, with full installation expected by the end of August. Once the equipment is installed, aggregate gross production at Sinu-9 is projected to increase to up to 30 MMcf/d.

The company is also working with its infrastructure partner, INFRAES, on the construction of a twin pipeline to double transportation capacity from Sinu-9. The project is being completed in two phases. The first phase, an 18-kilometer loop from Jobo, is expected to increase transportation capacity to 40 – 45 MMcf/d. The second phase, the full twin pipeline, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 and will increase transportation capacity to 60 MMcf/d.

Aruchara-4 Drilling Rig. Photo credit: CNW Group/NG Energy International Corp.

On August 14, 2025, low-cost carrier Wingo announced the launch of a new direct air route connecting Bogotá and Guatemala City. The service, which will operate three times per week, is scheduled to begin on October 27. The new flights are a strategic response to increasing travel demand from Colombian tourists seeking destinations in Central America.

The new route will offer flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, providing a non-stop connection between Colombia’s capital and Guatemala City. This expansion facilitates access to a country known for its cultural, natural, and historical attractions.

The Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo (INGUAT), the government entity responsible for tourism, reported a significant increase in Colombian visitors. According to INGUAT, 39,000 Colombians visited Guatemala during the first half of 2025, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. In 2024, the country welcomed more than 58,000 Colombian visitors.

Harris Whitbeck, director general of INGUAT, noted the importance of the Colombian market. “Colombia is one of our key source markets in South America. This new air connection will make it easier for more travelers to discover the natural, cultural, and culinary richness that Guatemala offers.”

Jorge Jiménez, commercial and planning vice president for Wingo, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings (NYSE: CPA), stated that the new route is aimed at expanding travel opportunities for Colombians.

The new service arrives in time for Guatemala’s primary tourism seasons, including the Festival of Giant Kites in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez in November, as well as the dry season, which runs from November to April. The flight is expected to have a duration of approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Parque Nacional. Photo credit: Wingo.

This has been a heavy week in Colombia. On Wednesday we had the funeral of Miguel Uribe at which both the pain and dignity of his loved ones was in the full public domain – I always wonder why such intimate moments have to be shared with the whole world, especially when many of them are just morbid onlookers, nonetheless credit to the family who have been thrust into the spotlight.

If only others had acted in such a dignified manner.

Instead, far too many took it as an opportunity to draw the light of tragedy onto themselves. Some were in a passive-aggressive form that left little to the imagination regarding whom they wanted to blame. Some try to ‘take up the mantle’ of Miguel’s campaign, even though their views are far less conciliatory toward others. And finally, those who just came out and said it: ‘Miguel dead, Alvaro in prison, and a terrorist running the country’. It’s as despicable as it is, unsurprisingly, at a time when a family is trying to mourn its loss.

We will leave the subject there and the family in peace.

Elsewhere, and yes, life goes on, the ANDI – Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia is holding its annual gathering/cocktail party on the coast, and despite their call for the country to pull together at a difficult moment, President Gustavo Petro wasn’t invited, and the rest of the cabinet promptly cancelled. The reason offered up (in short) was that he didn’t appear when invited previously, etc. The ANDI has been critical of Petro’s reform process at every turn, whilst rarely offering alternative solutions, so whether he would have attended is open to debate – regardless, the behavior is unbecoming of either party.

There was positive news from Fedesarrollo as consumer confidence rose once again in July to 5.3% (June 2.2%) – a year ago it was -9%. This was reflected in June retail sales (+10.1%), which again were driven by vehicles, electronics, and domestic goods, a reflection of increasing domestic demand.

The real sector also fared well in June, with manufacturing production (+2.2%) rising for a second month, with 22/39 sectors in positive territory. Industrial production also rose 1.3% having fallen slightly in May.

The Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística – DANE Colombia reported that overall Q2 civil works rose by 9% – there was, however, a 7% contraction in building construction for the same period. The overall picture is hard to read, but later today, Q2 GDP is due out (consensus 2.4%), which will give us a better idea of how this vital sector is faring.

The stock market continues to prosper. The bvc-Bolsa de Valores de Colombia S.A. COLCAP is now up 32% (local) & 44% (USD) YTD, volumes have even begun to tick upwards. Again, feel sorry for those badly advised to ship their cash to Miami to gain single-digit returns before costs.

Have a great day.

Regards Roops.

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The posthumous tribute in memory of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, honoring his legacy and service to Colombia. Photo credit: Canal Congreso Colombia/YouTube.

EPM‘s board of directors has officially approved a Disposal Program aimed at selling 100% of its shareholding in UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. (UNE). The sale involves 5,015,035 shares, representing 50.00001% of the company’s subscribed and paid-in capital. The board has set the sale price for each share at $418,741 USD.

UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. is currently undergoing a period of economic recovery and stabilization, prompting discussions about the initiation of the sale process. Meanwhile, EPM has sufficient time to exercise its exit rights as specified in the Shareholders’ Agreement, indicating a strategic move in response to the current market conditions.

On August 21, 2024, the Council of Medellín approved, in second debate, by 16 votes in favor and 5 against, the sale of EPM’s non-controlling shareholding in UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. (UNE) and Inversiones Telco S.A.S (Invertelco).

What’s next in the process of alienation

Following the approval of the Disposal Program by the board of directors and the setting of the sale price of the shares, EPM will move forward with the temporary registration of the shares of UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. (UNE) in the National Registry of Issuers and Securities and, after that, will execute the sale process, as established in Law 226 of 1995. Like this:

First stage: the shares will be offered at the price set by the board of directors to the recipients of special conditions, among whom are the company’s active and retired workers, associations of employees or former employees, workers’ unions, employee funds, severance, and pension funds and cooperative entities, among others, from the list contained in Article 3 of the same Law 226.

This stage is expected to take place during the last quarter of 2025, and the recipients of special conditions will have a period of two months, from the launch of the offer, to submit their acceptances.

If not all the shares are sold in the first stage, the remaining shares may be offered to the public during the next stage.

Second stage: the actions will be available to the public. Any natural and/or legal person who meets the conditions established in the regulations of this stage may participate in this stage. Its execution is projected for the first months of 2026.

EPM says that it will in due course publish the regulations that will detail the conditions of each stage, the respective notices with which each of them begins, in addition to the relevant information that may have an impact on the sale process.

Subsequent stages

If the sale of EPM’s shares is not achieved in the two stages described above, the shareholders’ agreement and the bylaws of UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. (UNE) establish a right of first refusal for the controlling shareholders. With this, Millicom has the possibility of directly acquiring EPM’s shares in the company.

If Millicom does not make use of this right of pre-emption as a controlling shareholder, EPM could subsequently link it to the sale and jointly offer the entire shareholding held by both shareholders in UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. (UNE). This is possible thanks to the clause for the protection of public assets that is in force until December 31, 2026.

Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga, mayor of Medellín, and John Maya Salazar, general manager of EPM. Photo credit: EPM.

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has announced the keynote speakers for its annual Responsible Seafood Summit, which will be held in Cartagena, Colombia, from September 29 to October 2. The event, in its 24th year, will focus on the theme of “impact” and have an agenda designed to address challenges facing the seafood industry.

The summit’s program includes discussions on various topics, such as antimicrobial resistance, the role of tilapia in food security, traceability system standardization, and support for small-scale fishers and farmers. The event will also feature case studies on Fishery Improvement Projects for Argentinian red shrimp and mahimahi, and an analysis of the impact of tariffs on global seafood trade. For the first time, a breakout session will be delivered in Spanish.

Featured Speakers

The opening keynote will be delivered by Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, director for nutrition, health, and food security impact area platform at the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR). Dr. Thilsted will address the impact of seafood and seafood production on global food security, specifically concerning protein provision in regions with high need. Dr. Thilsted received the 2021 World Food Prize and the Arrell Global Food Innovation Award for her work on nutrition-sensitive aquatic food systems. She currently serves on several United Nations panels and co-chairs the EAT-Lancet 2.0 Commission.

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, will discuss the role of seafood consumption in human health. Dr. Mozaffarian has authored approximately 400 scientific publications and has guided various organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Heart Association.

Dr. Jason Clay, senior vice president of markets at World Wildlife Fund-US (WWF-US), will provide his perspective on global trends within food systems. Through his leadership of WWF’s Markets Institute, Dr. Clay has worked with the private sector on sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries. His work over a 35-year career has focused on a systems-level view of challenges across the food supply chain.

Registration and Logistics

The four-day summit provides a platform for industry leaders to network, participate in field trips, and engage in discussions on seafood production, sourcing, and trading. Registration and a full agenda are available on the Global Seafood Alliance’s event website.

The GSA offers three pricing tiers for the event, with discounted rates available for GSA corporate members and residents of Latin America. The hotel block for the event closes at the end of August.

Oysters. Photo credit: Global Seafood Alliance (GSA)