The other financial institutions involved in the project are the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Bancolombia (NYSE: CIB), Bancóldex, and BBVA (NYSE: BBVA).

The project is sponsored by the Spanish company Sacyr (BME: SCYR). It covers a 128 km segment between Buga and Buenaventura, including the construction of 35 km of new roadway and bypasses, as well as the rehabilitation of 25 km. The plan also involves the upgrade and improvement of 186 km of existing road, in addition to the operation and maintenance of 244 km.

About FDN

Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN) operates as a private-sector development bank specializing in providing financial solutions for infrastructure projects. Its objective is to increase liquidity within the infrastructure sector.

The shareholders of FDN include Grupo Bicentenario, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The inclusion of the two multilateral organizations and the Japanese private bank as shareholders has enhanced FDN’s operational autonomy, technical capacity, and financial strength by incorporating international best practices and a robust corporate governance framework.

Buga-Buenaventura highway. Photo credit: Sacyr website.

In a joint effort by Colombia’s Attorney General, the DIJIN unit of the National Police and the United States Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) ICE Agency, an arms trafficking ring called Diamante has been toppled along with the capture of 25 of its alleged members. This according to Colombia’s Attorney General’s office.

 25 alleged members of the Diamante gang were captured in simultaneous raids across 4 cities.

Of the 22 arrests made by court order, 18 took place in Cali, Colombia and one in the nearby town of Buga; two in Bogotá and one in Medellín. The remaining three arrests were made in flagrante delicto in the capital of Valle del Cauca.

Under the coordination of a specialized prosecutor, last Tuesday uniformed officers carried out 28 simultaneous raids and searches in the cities, seizing short and long-range firearms (AK-40 rifles, Sig Sauer rifles with telescopic sights, grenade launchers, revolvers, pistols, grenades, ammunition of different calibers, accessories, essential parts for rifles and machine guns, and cell phones.

 An arsenal with short and long-range weapons & $97 million pesos were seized from the defendants.

According to the prosecutors, the investigation took place with technical and testimonial evidence, interception of communications, surveillance and monitoring. This criminal structure, prosecutors allege, had been committing crimes since April 2019, bringing weapons in from the United States and later distributing them to illegal armed groups or intermediaries in different cities throughout Colombia.

In arraignments, a Colombian judge legalized the arrests of the 25 suspects and the evidence. In the next few hours, the Prosecutor’s Office will file formal charges and request an assurance that the detainees are held without bond as allegedly responsible for the crimes of conspiracy to commit a crime and manufacture, trafficking and carrying firearms for the exclusive use of the Military Forces or explosives.

Under the coordination of a specialized prosecutor, last Tuesday uniformed officers carried out 28 simultaneous raids and searches in the cities, seizing short and long-range firearms (AK-40 rifles, Sig Sauer rifles with telescopic sights, grenade launchers, revolvers, pistols, grenades, ammunition of different calibers, accessories, essential parts for rifles and machine guns, and cell phones.

The Colombian government is offering the free “CoronApp Colombia” for download on Android devices, and toll free information lines (within Colombia): 01-800 095-5590 or for Bogotá: 330 5041. International callers may dial +57 1 330-5041

The 34 year old man from Buga and the 50 year old woman from Medellín presented symptoms and sought health attention, where they were tested positive for the infection. Both patients are said to be in stable condition and epidemiological protocols have been established to contact and test those who may have come into contact with the patients.

Virus arrival coincides with new health minister appointment

The day before the health ministry confirmed the virus in Colombia, President Ivan Duque (above, left) swore in a new health minister after the previous official resigned in December. The new health minister, Dr. Fernando Ruíz Gomez (above, right) is a medical doctor and also holds a masters degree in economics, and one in public health, as well as a doctorate in public health.

Dr. Ruíz was vice minister of public health and social protection in Colombia from 2013 to 2016 during the Santos administration, and also served as regional health director for Bogotá.

Few blacks have positions of influence. How many blacks are there in the best universities? And in the best positions of the largest companies, how many are there? The lawyers, the doctors, the black engineers, how many are there?

Choco is not known for oil or gas but that did not stop US petroleum supergiant Chevron Texaco (NYSE: CVX) from pitching in to support women and students by backing the “Casa de Mujeres Empoderadas” (House of Empowered Women) and donating 100 bicycles to be used by students with long commutes to school.

In the government operated House of Empowered Women, training, guidance and counseling will be provided to women on issues of entrepreneurship, employability, science and technology, sources of funding, legal advice, psychosocial support, and other attention tailored to the main needs of the population.

Colombia’s Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez (at podium) speaks at the women’s house inauguration in Quibdó, Chocó on November 29.

“In Colombia there is progress when it comes to opportunities for minorities, but more work can be done. Few blacks have positions of influence. How many blacks are there in the best universities? And in the best positions of the largest companies, how many are there? The lawyers, the doctors, the black engineers, how many are there?” challenged Marc Payne, Chevron’s President and Country Manager for Colombia.

“Soccer and music cannot be the only dreams that black children have—I don’t say this to criticize—it’s a very sensitive time here in Colombia. But, we have a great opportunity to take advantage of the underutilized human resources here in Afro-Colombians and indigenous people to improve Colombia,” added Payne.

Colombia’s Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez was present and added statements emphasizing the importance of supporting the country’s women and ensuring their access to equal opportunity. “We are at the service of all Chocoanos and Chocoanas, to ensure that women help us quickly seize the opportunities of this department. It is an effort we are making for the girls of Chocó,”she said.

“It is important that we do not have discriminatory attitudes against girls and in favor of boys. We as mothers also have a responsibility to end this machismo (misogyny) that has done us so much harm,” added the vice president.

Chevron Colombia President Marc Payne (Center) with Quibdó Mayor-elect Martín Sanchez Valencia and Chocó Governor-elect Ariel Palacios Calderón

“In Chevron, during more than 40 years of operations in La Guajira, we have worked with the Wayuu indigenous communities and other local communities producing energy, improving the health and education infrastructure, strengthening the capacities of the communities, and working to address the community needs, especially with women and their families,” said Payne. “But during these 40 years, my company has never invested in social projects in Choco. Not because the company wasn’t interested but because we had no awareness. I am black, I am a president of a large multinational company here in Colombia…I am here to support these efforts.”

“My current position is the result of study and dedication and work towards a goal, but it is also the result of the work of many men and women who have struggled to create spaces of inclusion and diversity as we do in Chevron. But we need to do much more. We need to recognize that here in Choco, we have a huge human resource: young people with a lot of talent, with a lot of ambition, with a lot of intellect, but without the opportunity that young people have in other places.”

Also on hand for the inauguration was the governor of Chocó, Johany Carlos Palacios, and the elected governor, Ariel Palacios Calderón. From the mayors office, mayor elect Mary del Carmen Urrutia, and the outgoing mayor of Quibdó, Martín Sánchez Valencia were all in attendance.

Chevron’s Payne had an additional surprise in store for students in Quibdó:  “At this time, in Chevron, more than supporting the women’s house, we are going to do one more small thing. To help young people in Quibdó achieve their academic goals, we have partnered with Colombian soft drink company Postobón and World Bicycle Relief to donate 100 bicycles, as you can see in these pictures. These bicycles will help reduce dropout rates and improve academic performance for beneficiary children. I am very excited to return here again in January to deliver these 100 bicycles for children who need them. Change begins with health that this women’s home can support, and with the education of our youth.”

Colombia’s Vice President Ramirez thanked the outgoing authorities for their commitment and work for the women of the department and called on the new dignitaries to form joint cabinets and take concrete steps to prioritize gender equity issues in their development plans.

With this newest women’s center in Quibdó, there are three Houses inaugurated by the government of President Iván Duque. Pasto (Nariño Department) and Cúcuta (Norte de Santander) are already in operation. Before the end of 2019, two more houses will be inaugurated in Riohacha (La Guajira) and Buga (Valle de Cauca).

The vehicle, which was operated by transportation company Cristales, was driving on the Buga-Buenaventura route through the municipality of Calima-Dariénin in the department of Valle de Cauca when it overturned. The cause of the accident is still not clear, although local media reports have suggested brake failure may have been involved.

Multiple teenage players were killed in the accident as well as one three-year-old boy, according to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo. At least two teenagers reportedly died from their injuries after reaching San José de Buga Hospital.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, said local governor Dilian Francisca Toro, as the local community mourns those lost.

The tragedy comes just weeks after 14 people were killed in the department of Antioquia, near the municipality in Sabanalarga, after a bus reportedly ran off an Andean roadway and fell into a ravine.