FARC
Colombia’s Peace Deal: The End to the Americas’ Longest War?
After four years of negotiations, the Colombian government and the largest rebel group in the country have reached a deal to end more than 50 years of civil conflict, paving the way for an end to the longest running war in the Americas. The asymmetrical Colombian Conflict lasted 52 years, claimed over 220,000 lives and displaced more than five million people. Can Colombia become a symbol of hope in a world wracked with conflict? We will be joined by a panel of journalists and experts to discuss this historic peace agreement and what it means for the people of Colombia.
Insight with Jineth Bedoya Lima “The bodies of women are weapons in all wars”
By Phoebe Hall On Wednesday 4 December the Frontline Club welcomed Jineth Bedoya Lima, a journalist with Colombian national newspaper El Tiempo and recipient of the 2012 International Women of Courage Award, to discuss her prolific journalistic career and work in combatting violence against women. The discussion, chaired by The Guardian’s Ed Vulliamy, largely focused on the “habitual, extensive, and systematic […]
Insight with Jineth Bedoya Lima: Journalism, Kidnap and Colombia’s Peace Process
Colombia is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Despite the constant threat, Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima continues to work tirelessly to investigate armed conflict, drug trafficking, organised crime and issues around women and violence. We are honoured to welcome her to the Frontline Club, she will be talking to Ed Vulliamy, a writer for The Guardian and Observer, about her prolific career as a journalist in Colombia, the work she does on conflict-related sexual violence and the ongoing peace process.
Delhi rape case, East Asian tensions, and US gun laws all on the agenda in busy international week
By Jasper Wenban-Smith, international editor of ForesightNews. A round up of world news in the week ahead from journalist resource ForesightNews.
ForesightNews world briefing: upcoming events 10 – 16 October
A weekly round up of world events from Monday, 10 to Sunday, 16 October from ForesightNews By Nicole Hunt The two men charged with the April 2010 murder of South African white supremacist leader Eugene Terre’Blanche go on trial in Ventersdorp on Monday. Chris Mahlangu and an unnamed teenager are accused of killing the leader […]
Looking back at 2008 in Colombia
The global financial meltdown dominated the news headlines across the world this year. But in Colombia it was, as always, the country’s armed conflict. What Colombians will remember 2008 for: The death of FARC’s iconic founder and leader, Manuel Marulanda, who led the guerrilla group for over 40 years. The death of Raul Reyes, Farc’s […]
Farc are weakened but prospects for peace remain remote
There’s been much speculation in Colombia and among international pundits about whether the Farc are on their way out. Thomas Shannon, US assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs echoes the views of many, when he recently said the Farc “are in their final phase.” One local analyst believes that in 10 years time, the Farc […]
Live tonight: Is this the end for FARC?
View in iTunes You can now watch the event here. With the recent release of Igrid Betancourt, we’ll be discussing the future of the FARC at the Frontline Club tonight. Please come watch, listen and join in live on the Frontline Club live broadcast channel. We go live at 7.30pm GMT. The question up for […]
Those left behind in the jungle
The rescue of 15 hostages from the clutches of Farc guerrillas is probably the most important event in years in Colombia. It’s also probably the biggest political triumph of President Uribe’s six years in power. Colombia is rejoicing and enjoying a rare respite from its ugly and unrelenting conflict. The next couple of weeks will […]
Far from over for FARC
They called him Toucan. His hooked nose and gold-teeth smile were menacing but also comical. His partner was stocky with closely cropped hair, neck and arms emblazoned with tattoos of saints and crucifixes. It seems that stereotypes exist for a reason and the Hollywood image of Colombian drug dealers was made real in this remote […]
Colombians mobilize.
Millions of Colombians are expected to take to the streets on Monday in a protest march organized by several young Colombians on Facebook. The country’s main squares and thoroughfares will be filled with marchers dressed in white by midday. Joining Colombians, the march organizers say they have over 200,000 people signed up to simultaneously march […]
Letters from the jungle
Ingrid Betancourt, a former presidential candidate who has dual French-Colombian citizenship, is perhaps Colombia’s most well-known hostage. She was kidnapped along a motorway with Clara Rojas, her aide, six years ago while on the campaign trail. Her two children continue to campaign for her release. Last October, Ingrid wrote a letter to her mother in […]