EPM invites developers of hydroelectric projects to establish strategic alliances that contribute to expanding Colombia’s energy supply with a renewable source such as hydroelectric generation. Projects must have an installed power generation capacity of more than 5 megawatts, regardless of the stage they are in: identification, pre-feasibility, feasibility, licensing, or ready for construction.

This call represents a strategic opportunity for promoters and developers of the energy sector to actively link themselves to the transformation of the Colombian electricity system. By joining forces with EPM, they will be able to contribute to the development of a cleaner energy matrix, which responds to the challenges of climate change and the country’s growing energy demands. It is an invitation to build, from knowledge and innovation, real solutions for sustainable development.

With an estimated investment of close to $1 trillion COP, EPM seeks to integrate projects that strengthen its participation in the national energy market and that contribute to the continuity and reliability of the service, efficiently taking advantage of water resources and contributing to territorial development, always thinking about the quality of life and well-being of Colombians.

These acquisitions would be part of EPM’s growth portfolio in renewable energies and aim to incorporate assets that support an increasingly reliable, flexible, and environmentally friendly electricity system.

Call for applications and participation.

Promoters interested in participating in the market study associated with this process can consult the schedule, requirements, and conditions at:www.epm.com.co/institucional/sobre-epm/nuestras-plantas/plantas-de-energia/. The requested documentation must be sent to the email [email protected]. Between 1 and 28 July 2025, the shortlisted projects will be published on 30 August 2025.

This call represents an opportunity to articulate efforts between the public and private sectors on the road to a cleaner and more resilient energy model.

EPM’s small hydroelectric plants are in operation

Currently, EPM has 11 Small Hydroelectric Power Plants (SHPs) in operation, distributed in different subregions of Antioquia, with a net effective capacity of 124 megawatts. These plants represent approximately 3.5% of EPM’s total power generation and supply about 287,000 homes, which is equivalent to the energy demand of two cities such as Ibagué, the capital of the department of Tolima.

EPM’s Small Hydroelectric Power Plants (SHPs) are:

• La Herradura: located between the municipalities of Cañasgordas and Frontino, in western Antioquia, with an installed capacity of 19.8 MW.
• La Vuelta: in the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Frontino and Abriaquí, in western Antioquia. Its capacity is 11.8 MW.
• Pajarito: in the municipality of Angostura, near Yarumal, in the north of Antioquia. It generates 4.9 MW.
• Río Frío: in the municipality of Támesis, in southwestern Antioquia, it has a capacity of 1.2 MW.
• Río Grande I: in Donmatías, North of Antioquia. It has a capacity of 20 MW.
• Caracolí: in the municipality of Barbosa, north of the Aburrá Valley, with an installed capacity of 3.2 MW.
• Niquía: It is located in Bello, Antioquia. It has a capacity of 20 MW and is part of the multiple water use system.
• Sonsón I and II: hydraulic chain located in eastern Antioquia, with a combined capacity of 18.6 MW.
• La Ayurá: in Envigado, associated with the La Fe reservoir. In addition to generating energy, it contributes to the aqueduct system.
• Piedras Blancas: one of the oldest, located in the township of Santa Elena, Medellín.
• Guadalupe III: Although it is a larger plant, EPM has developed small units associated with this complex.

These SHPs not only generate clean energy but are also integrated into water supply and regional development processes.

Photo: La Vuelta, in the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Frontino and Abriaquí, in western Antioquia. Its capacity is 11.8 MW. Photo credit: EPM.

The US Federal Court has sentenced Stefan Andrés Correa, 42, a dual Ecuadorian-US citizen, to life in prison. He was found guilty of leading a systematic network of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls in Medellín.
The sentence relates to the crimes of sex trafficking of minors and participation in sexual acts with minors after it was proven that Correa traveled at least 48 times to Colombia between 2020 and 2024 with the sole purpose of abusing girls between the ages of 9 and 12.

Correa was arrested on April 19, 2024, at Miami International Airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Medellín. Nine cell phones were found in his luggage, containing 58 videos and more than 100 photographs of child abuse, as well as explicit conversations with local pimps in which he expressed interest in “virgins.” A search of one of the cell phones also revealed a text message exchange with a sex trafficker in Colombia, who Correa agreed to pay $300,000 Colombian pesos (the equivalent of $75 USD) to arrange for commercial sex with children who were 10 to 12 years old.

The evidence was gathered through an investigation led by the Transnational Homeland Security Investigations Group (TCIU – SIJIN DIPRO), the Attorney General’s Office, HSI, and with support from the Mayor’s Office of Medellín through Operation Hunter.

“This sexual predator will face a long prison sentence in his country for crimes committed in Medellín. The sentence is the result of Operation Hunter, an example of what can be achieved with intelligence, international cooperation, and, above all, the determination to combat this crime. This is a historic result, the product of a parallel investigation conducted in both Miami and our city. The capture and conviction of both ends of a criminal network, the sexual offender and the pimp were achieved in both countries. We will not allow Medellín to be seen as a destination for sexual crime,” stated Mayor Federico Gutiérrez.

“Predators such as Correa are a scourge upon humanity, and must be dealt with accordingly.” – US Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne

The investigation also led to the identification of six direct victims in Medellín, who provided valuable testimony during forensic interviews conducted by HSI in Colombia. The minors recounted how Correa, who called himself.
“Cris” offered them money, lodging, clothing, and electronic devices in exchange for sexual acts. Two women who were part of his network, Lina Marcela Velázquez Maldonado and María Camila Cuervo, were also arrested and convicted of pimping and sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age.

“This conviction is just one step. We are making progress in criminal proceedings against Correa’s accomplices and will continue collaborating to capture all those involved. Our commitment is absolute: to protect our children. Many more arrests are coming, and the investigation continues,” the president stated.

Stefan Correa will be imprisoned in a United States prison. Meanwhile, in Colombia, a mirror investigation is progressing that could lead to new arrests and expand the judicial siege against those who facilitated these crimes. The Mayor’s Office of Medellín reiterates its unwavering commitment to the defense of children, effective international cooperation, and a zero-tolerance policy against the sexual exploitation of children.

“The United States of America will always seek to protect children near and far,” said US Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “This prosecution and this sentence should serve as a warning to any predator who is trying to travel through our district to prey on children. We will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. A life sentence for this conduct is entirely appropriate. Predators such as Correa are a scourge upon humanity, and must be dealt with accordingly,”  Hayden added.

“To the brave survivors, your courage was the driving force in this case, and I hope that the life sentence of this predator brings you some measure of justice and relief,” said Jose R. Figueroa, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Miami. “This investigation underscores the global and horrific nature of child sex trafficking and the importance of international cooperation to end it. I thank our federal and Colombian counterparts for their steadfast dedication and reiterate HSI’s continued commitment to holding those who prey on minors fully accountable,” Figueroa continued.

HSI Miami investigated the case with assistance from HSI offices in Cleveland, Ohio, and Bogotá, Colombia, as well as US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).  The Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia, also provided critical assistance. Major Crimes Deputy Chief Assistant US Attorney Lauren Astigarraga prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by US Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report suspected human trafficking or to obtain resources for victims, please call 1-888-373-7888; text “BeFree” (233733), or live chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org. The toll-free phone, SMS text lines, and online chat functions are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English, Spanish, Creole, or more than 200 additional languages. The National Hotline is not managed by law enforcement, immigration, or an investigative agency. Correspondence with the National Hotline is confidential, and you may request assistance or report a tip anonymously.

To report online child sexual exploitation, visit https://report.cybertip.org/ or call 1-800-843-5678. The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in partnership with HSI and other law enforcement agencies.

To learn more about the National Resource Hotline, visit https://www.humantraffickinghotline.org. To learn more about the US Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking, visit www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Headline video credit: Law & Crime Network YouTube, Featured image credit: City of Medellín.

The countdown has already begun for the International Aeronautics and Space Fair – F-AIR Colombia 2025, and Sweden, the guest of honor for this edition, presents details of its participation in this event, which is another example of the deep and broad bilateral relations between the two countries.

The first thing to highlight is that the Minister of Defense of Sweden, Pål Jonson, will arrive in Colombia, will be the head of the Swedish delegation and will participate in the inauguration ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Minister Jonson will be accompanied by a delegation consisting of other high-ranking officials and business executives, who will be in the guest country area (stands 136, 234A, and 336) and will participate in the programming.

Academic Agenda

It’s not solely about technology or aircraft. For Sweden, future aeronautical solutions also play a crucial role in areas such as environmental sustainability, human rights, economic development, gender equality, and collaborative research and innovation. To share more about this vision, here are the confirmed talks that the guest country will offer:

1. Thursday, July 10 – 10:00 am
   Condor Room
   Conference: Challenges of modern air power; a credible and sustainable offensive air posture for your nation. Talk with Gripen pilot, the Swede Jussi Halmetoja.
2.  Thursday, July 10 – 10:40 am
   Condor Room
   Conference: The first woman to fly a Gripen. Gender equality in the aerospace industry. Presentation of the Swedish pilot Anna Dellham.
3. Friday, July 11 – 9:00 am
   Condor Room
   Panel: Aviation Industry and Sustainability. Participation of Christer Fureby, head of the Transfer Division in the Department of Energy Sciences in Sweden and director of CESTAP (Center for Sustainable Fuels for Turbines in Europe).
4. Friday, July 11 – 2:00 pm
   Colibrí Room
   Conference: SAF and the aviation of the future. Presentation by Christer Fureby.
5. Friday, July 11 – 2:00 pm
   Condor Room
   Panel: Aeronautical Innovation Ecosystem: Connecting Government, Industry, and Academia. EAFIT Experience, KTH University of Sweden, and Saab: Allies of the drone that fights climate change.
6. Friday, July 11 – 2:45 pm
   Hummingbird Room
   Conference: What is the aviation of the future? The Swedish vision. Executive SAAB.

At F-Air, Wandt will share his experience and vision of the aerospace industry and research, serving as an inspirational reference for the attendees.

Business Delegation

Sweden is proud of its innovation, quality, and sustainability, which is why #TeamSweden, under the leadership of Business Sweden (Swedish Trade and Invest Council), will showcase this with the participation of seven companies and two universities, who will share their offerings in the aerospace and aeronautics industry with attendees. These include Scama, Securitas, Ericsson, Midsummer, Saab, Kreab, and Scanform, which will be accompanied by Lund University and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) of Sweden. There, visitors will be able to approach the drone exhibition by Securitas, a Swedish global leader in intelligent security solutions. With its innovative offering of aero-vigilance and anti-drone technology, through its UAS Unit (Unmanned Aerial Systems), the company will conduct a prominent showcase of its integrated technology, aimed at companies specialized in aviation and cargo operations.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about high-tech systems for stopping aircraft in military units that will be presented by the Swedish company Scama.

At the same time, they will be able to detail Midsummer’s advanced solar solutions, which have been specially designed to meet the demands of the aerospace and
defense industries. Their patented technology of flexible and ultralight thin-film solar panels allows for efficient integration into high-tech platforms such as stratospheric balloons, UAVs, nanosatellites, and mobile observation or telecommunications systems.

The guests won’t want to miss the exhibition of the drone that combats climate change. It is a successful collaboration project between EAFIT University of Colombia,
The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) of Sweden and Saab have resulted in a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of collecting data for monitoring
climatic.

For its part, Saab will share its wide range of high-tech products and systems for air, land, and sea. Visitors will be able to experience through a simulator how
The Gripen incorporates maneuverability, performance, communication, navigation, and electronic warfare.

Additionally, they will be able to see the full-scale replica of the Gripen E, as well as the Giraffe 1X, an aerial surveillance component in the field of Ground-Based Air Defense (GBAD).
That provides air defense commanders with quality data on targets, drone detection, and detection and warning against artillery, rockets, and mortars (C-RAM) in
a single solution. Saab will also feature a demo of the R-TWR, digital towers that allow for the remote use of air traffic services (ATS) from anywhere.

Cultural Agenda

On Sunday, July 13, Sweden will offer a program of workshops for children and families. There will be three spaces where, through techniques like origami and scientific drawing, visitors will be able to approach the world of aeronautics in fun and educational ways. Each workshop will last an hour and a half, and they will be held in time slots in the morning, beginning and end of the afternoon. Participation in these workshops is open to the public and does not require prior registration.

Photo credit: F-AIR Colombia/Facebook.

According to official figures from Migración Colombia, between January and May 2025, 1.9 million international visitors entered the country, which represents an increase of 6.6% compared to the same period in 2024 and 42% more than in the pre-pandemic period.

According to data from Migración Colombia, the main destination departments for international visitors were: Bogotá, 34.84%; Antioquia, 25.65%; Bolívar, 20.56%; Valle del Cauca, 4.71%; and San Andrés and Providencia, 3.35%.

Other departments such as Atlántico, Magdalena, Norte de Santander, Risaralda and Santander also showed a prominent participation in the flow of travelers.

Connectivity and hotel occupancy rate

In terms of air connectivity, during April 2025, 4.36 million passengers were mobilized on scheduled flights, which represents a growth of 3.1% compared to April 2024 and 27% more than in April 2023. In the same month, the number of arrivals on international flights increased by 10.6% compared to the previous year.

In the cumulative period from January to April 2025, 17.98 million passengers were mobilized, registering an increase of 3.4% compared to 2024 and 21.4% compared to 2023. International arrivals in that period also grew by 8.8%.

According to Colombian statistics agency DANE figures, the occupancy rate in tourist accommodation for April 2025 was 46.8%, a behavior similar to that recorded in the same month of the previous year, which reflects a sustained recovery of the sector.

The Colombian government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, states that it has prioritized the strengthening of tourism as an engine of economic development, social inclusion and international projection. Through ProColombia, MinCIT has approved international promotion actions worth more than $188.376 million USD, aimed at consolidating Colombia’s image as a reliable and attractive destination.

Plaza Bolivar in Bogotá, Colombia. Photo credit: Makalu from Pixabay.

Chaos reigns in my adopted Colombia with yet another foreign minister leaving amidst an ongoing spat with the US. That said it isn’t difficult to get on the wrong side of Donald Trump’s peanut gallery. Some ugly rhetoric on both sides but no doubt it will calm down soon enough. Away from that a fairly quiet news week thus far.

I am currently traveling and find myself in Belfast, where thoughts of Colombia, violence, and peace processes are never far away.

“Are you from around here ?”

The gruff voice set me back on my heels as I came out of the café – I even hesitated to answer as a Brit who isn’t entirely sure where the divide between East & West Belfast lies.

Northern Ireland’s 1998 Good Friday agreement is now 27 years old and still hasn’t brought full peace & tranquility – hence the hesitation. However, while there is still violence around the fringes at the same time, there is also tolerance across the province, which stands as a lesson for Colombia, which continues to tear itself apart. The peace agreement of November 2016 was never going to be the end, but instead the start of the process, and we quite clearly have a long way to go before local politicians understand that.

Polarization is the preferred direction of travel on both the left and the right. They appear to care not that it stifles Colombia’s progress – it is all about them, not the 99.9999% who don’t occupy a seat in congress or the senate.

The political class, in turn, with their divisive rhetoric, creates the worst example for the rest of the population, and when run through the poisonous prism of social media, violence and hatred are the result. Against this backdrop Gustavo Petro’s attempts at ‘Total’ peace were always doomed – unquestionably there are also those who prefer the status quo of conflict.

The future of both Northern Ireland & Colombia remain in doubt but the citizens of both deserve to sleep peacefully at night. Last week at Glastonbury, I witnessed firsthand the Kneecap performance, the ongoing demand for freedom, and anger towards the British government. It was vitriolic and uncomfortable but ultimately a passive demand for change using a microphone and balaclava. The optics might be ugly to many, but the optics in Colombia are many, many times worse, with multiple militias roaming the country, pretending to have political ends, which are to cover up nothing more than the millions they make from narcotics.

As I end this note I’m sat on a bus from Belfast to Dublin. Who is catholic ? Who is protestant ? Who cares ? Just a peaceful coach trip between two cities.

Let’s hope for more peaceful nights soon.

Regards.

Roops.

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The Peace For All statue is located a couple of hundred meters south of the Republic/Northern Ireland border. Photo credit: Hywel Williams/Wikipedia.

Aris Mining Corporation (TSX: ARIS) (NYSE-A: ARMN) has announced the successful installation and commissioning of a second processing mill at its Segovia operations in Antioquia, Colombia. This expansion increases Segovia’s processing capacity by 50%, from 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd).

The second mill is integrated with the existing plant infrastructure, utilizing shared circuits for crushing, flotation, leaching, and tailings filtration. The project was completed on schedule and within budget, with commissioning activities finalized in June 2025.

According to Neil Woodyer, CEO of Aris Mining, the expanded capacity at Segovia is anticipated to contribute to increased gold production in the second half of 2025. The company’s full-year 2025 gold production is projected to be between 210,000 and 250,000 ounces, an increase from 187,583 ounces produced in 2024. Aris Mining targets an annual production of 300,000 ounces from Segovia in 2026, contingent on underground development and an increase in mill feed from contract mining partners.

Aris Mining, established in September 2022, operates two underground gold mines in Colombia: the Segovia operations and the Marmato Complex. In 2024, these operations collectively produced 210,955 ounces of gold. With current expansion efforts, including the Segovia mill expansion and the construction of the Bulk Mining Zone at the Marmato Complex, Aris Mining is targeting an annual production rate exceeding 500,000 ounces of gold. Production at the Marmato Complex’s Bulk Mining Zone is expected to begin ramping up in the second half of 2026.

Additionally, Aris Mining operates the 51% owned Soto Norte joint venture, where studies are underway for a new, smaller-scale development plan, with results anticipated in Q3 2025. In Guyana, Aris Mining owns the Toroparu gold/copper project, for which a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) has been commissioned, with results also expected in Q3 2025.

Aris Mining states its intention to pursue partnerships within Colombia’s small-scale mining sector to facilitate what it describes as safe, legal, and environmentally responsible operations. The company also indicates a strategy to pursue acquisitions and other growth opportunities.

Second mill at the Segovia Operations. Photo and video credit: CNW Group/Aris Mining Corporation.

In an explosive political revelation Spain’s main newspaper, El País, uncovered audio recordings and testimonies suggesting that former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva looked for support from allies of US President Donald Trump in a secret effort to unseat Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

The scandal centers on a covert campaign Leyva reportedly initiated two months ago during meetings in the United States. According to sources and leaked audio recordings published by El País, Leyva approached Republican politicians among Marco Rubio and Mario Díaz-Balart to build international pressure for Petro’s removal, proposing that Vice President Francia Márquez take over the presidency. However, White House sources cited in the report confirmed the proposal was never seriously considered.

In one of the leaked audios, Leyva is heard saying, “We have to get that guy [Petro] out,” referencing the deteriorating public order in Colombia and suggesting that removing President Petro would require a “national agreement” involving both legitimate political actors and illegal armed groups such as the ELN and the Clan del Golfo. He also claimed Petro was unfit to govern due to alleged drug use, accusations both President Petro and his right-hand woman, Laura Sarabia, firmly deny.

Leyva, once one of Petro’s closest allies, the first foreign minister of his government and a key figure in his “total peace” strategy with armed groups, reportedly felt betrayed after being removed from office in 2024 by the Office of the Inspector General of Colombia following an irregular passport contract suspension. Allegedly, Leyva interpreted his ousting as unjust and sought revenge, initiating a campaign to undermine the presidency he once helped to build.

Particularly alarming to many is Leyva’s claimed intention to involve various US politicians. In the recordings, he mentions a meeting with Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart and efforts to reach Marco Rubio. However, Díaz-Balart has publicly denied any conspiracy. “The number of falsehoods and fabrications surrounding my frequent meetings with members of Colombian civil society makes me laugh. I have always met with people and groups from different parties and with different opinions (…). I have to laugh at so many fabrications, nonsense, and hypocrisy,” the congressman stated in Spanish via X following El País revelations.

Reacting from Spain, where he was attending a UN conference, President Petro called the situation serious and urged for legal accountability. “All those mentioned, whether what Leyva says is true or not, must give explanations: not just political, but legal,” Petro asserted. He linked the alleged plot to “a conspiracy with drug trafficking and the far right, apparently Colombian and American,” to overthrow him.

Vice President Francia Márquez, whom Leyva portrayed as a central player in his plan, has categorically denied any involvement. Through a press release, Márquez reaffirmed her loyalty to Petro and to Colombia’s democratic principles, pointing out that “I have a clear conscience, a clear mind, and a firm heart.”

“I will not allow my name to be used to feed personal interests or rivalries that do not contribute to building a more just and equitable country,” the statement read.

Despite the scandal, there is currently no official investigation against Leyva, though growing public and political pressure could change this.

Headline photo: President Gustavo Petro was reached by journalists in Seville (Spain), where he was attending the Fourth Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations (UN). (Photo: Presidencia de la República)

José María Córdova Airport, in Rionegro, Antioquia, is preparing to host the most exciting air show of the year: the F-AIR Colombia 2025 International Aeronautical and Space Fair; an edition that aims to be unforgettable, with a variety of shows that will combine technology, skill, and top-level aerial precision abilities. The air shows will take place from Friday, July 11, to Sunday, July 13, with the following presentations:

Viper Demo Team: supersonic speed

The F-16 fighters of the Viper Demo Team are arriving from the South Carolina National Guard, United States. These aircraft, icons of modern combat aviation, will demonstrate their impressive acceleration, reaction, and maneuverability in the air, leaving trails of adrenaline and awe with each pass.

High-impact skydiving: color and precision in the sky

From altitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, the parachuting teams, The Wings of Blue from the United States Air Force and Águila de Gules from the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) will perform synchronized jumps accompanied by multicolored smoke, ribbons, and acrobatic figures, which will captivate the audience with their precision and bravery.

Texan T6 Squadron: pride, precision, and national power

The Texan Squadron of the FAC, a symbol of discipline and professionalism, will present a series of demanding acrobatics aboard the Texan T-6, aircraft used for the training of military pilots, powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68 engines with 1,100 horsepower; these aircraft reach speeds exceeding 500 km/h and perform maneuvers such as the classic spiral descent, with turns of up to 90 degrees, and the stunning trail break, where the planes separate just above the audience in a display of absolute training and trust between pilots and the airspace.

Aerobatic Team Arpía 51: excitement with rotary wings, unique in the world

With AH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, the acrobatic team Arpía 51 is the only one of its kind in the world and will impress the audience with tactical maneuvers, close formation flights, and lateral movements, all with millimeter precision. This demonstration will not only highlight the expertise of the military pilots but also the versatility and power of one of the most important platforms in the Colombian military aviation for attack missions.

Kfir Darts Team: supreme power, eternal pride

This team, also known as Lion Cubs, will make the runway of José María Córdova Airport vibrate with the roar of their engines. The most experienced and accomplished military aviators of the Colombian Aerospace Force will execute extreme maneuvers such as tight loops, formation breaks, and high-angle turns at supersonic speeds in a demonstration of aerial superiority.

Special forces in action: mastery of the operational environment

The Air Special Operations Commandos will integrate the ground, air, and satellite capabilities of the FAC, demonstrating how real search and rescue missions are carried out under extreme conditions.
F-AIR Colombia 2025 promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for families and, of course, a unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts and experts to closely experience the power and future of the aeronautical and space sector.
Each maneuver is designed to elevate the adrenaline of the attendees; it will be an experience that aims to push emotions to the limit.

Headline photo: A USAF B-52 Stratofortress bomber flies in formation with Colombian Kfir fighters, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Colombia’s Air Force by the creation of a military aviation school for the Colombian Army in 1919 (photo © Loren Moss).

Multinational insurer Chubb has announced that it is launching a new engineering center in Bogotá, Colombia, joining existing Chubb engineering centers in India, Mexico and Greece. Scheduled to open in October 2025, the new center will enhance Chubb’s technological capabilities and customer experience.

“Bogotá offers a rich pool of engineering talent, supported by strong academic institutions and a vibrant tech ecosystem,” said Gordon Mackechnie, vice president, Chubb Group, global head of technology. “By tapping into local talent and expertise, Chubb will further develop tailored products and services that meet the specific needs of our Latin American and North American clients, enabling our strategic growth.”

The Bogotá center will focus on key areas such as software development, data analytics, artificial intelligence and infrastructure. The center will prioritize hiring for roles in software engineering, network and data center infrastructure, and network security, with a particular emphasis on skills in cloud computing and agile methodologies.

Chubb Engineering Center Mexico graduates. Photo credit: Chubb/Facebook.

A financing agreement totaling €140 million EUR, structured by BNP Paribas CIB (BNP: PAR on Euronext Paris; BNPQY on OTCMKTS) and guaranteed by SACE, an Italian insurance-financial group wholly owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy, aims to support the growth objectives of ISAGEN (ISG: BVC on Bolsa de Valores de Colombia). ISAGEN is identified as Latin America’s third-largest renewable energy generator, with operations in hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. This initiative is designed to foster new business opportunities for Italian companies in the Colombian energy sector.

The agreement seeks to strengthen commercial ties between ISAGEN and Italian exporters within the renewable energy value chain. As part of this arrangement, ISAGEN has committed to participating in annual matchmaking events organized by SACE, where Italian companies will be considered for its procurement processes.

BNP Paribas CIB, the financier of this operation, is recognized in the global export finance market and as a key structurer of SACE-covered facilities worldwide, with a focus on sustainable transactions. BNP Paribas has maintained a presence in Colombia for over 50 years, providing financing solutions to clients locally and internationally.

Established in 1995, ISAGEN operates a diversified portfolio comprising 15 hydroelectric plants, 10 solar plants, and two wind farms, possessing a net effective capacity exceeding 3,000 MW. The company plays a role in Colombia’s energy transition and contributes to the country’s decarbonization targets, aligning with discussions at COP29.

This operation aligns with SACE’s strategic objective of promoting Italian exports and fostering partnerships in emerging markets. The focus is on facilitating long-term industrial collaborations in sectors driving the global energy transition.

Jenaro Laris Vázquez, director of SACE’s Latin America Office, stated that this transaction reflects SACE’s commitment to supporting Italian companies’ expansion into dynamic markets like Colombia, with an emphasis on renewable energy. He indicated that SACE aims to cultivate alliances where both ISAGEN and Italian enterprises demonstrate strengths. Matchmaking initiatives led by SACE are intended to facilitate new commercial relationships between ISAGEN and Italian exporters, potentially influencing future investment plans.

Arturo Mejía, ISAGEN’s financial vice president, commented on the financial milestone, noting it reflects confidence in ISAGEN’s stability and long-term vision. He stated that the transaction with BNP Paribas CIB and SACE represents a strategic step toward diversifying financing sources, enhancing financial resilience, and increasing flexibility for economic fluctuations. Mejía added that the financing enables ISAGEN to expand its supplier base, reinforcing its supply chain through partnerships with Italian companies capable of supporting its mission to deliver clean energy.

Jorge Valderrama, BNP Paribas’ territorial director in Colombia, remarked on the significance of supporting ISAGEN with this financing line in collaboration with SACE, characterizing it as a notable development for ISAGEN and the Colombian energy sector. He emphasized BNP Paribas’ commitment to providing strategic financial solutions that assist clients in leading transformations within key sectors contributing to Colombia’s economic growth.

ISAGEN Medellín. Photo credit: Loren Moss.