Tag "Iván Duque"
What does the Ukraine War mean for Colombian Coal Production?
Sanctions against Russia have intensified Europe’s search for alternative energy suppliers. One of them is Colombia whose President Duque seeks to take advantage of the country’s coal reservoirs. This is likely to aggravate already existing socio-environmental conflicts and human rights violations for inhabitants of major mining regions.
Opinion: Colombia’s Violent Start to 2022: A Key Electoral Cycle
The New Year has not had a happy start for many Colombians: An already alarming security situation is currently escalating into new record levels of violence in several parts of the country. Although the perpetrators vary regionally, the main affected are the same: the civilian population in general, and social leaders and human rights defenders in particular. In addition to the weak response of the Colombian state so far, observers expect a further deterioration linked to the upcoming legislative and presidential elections.
Colombia’s Gulf Clan: The Capture of a Kingpin and the Future of Colombia’s Cartels
In late October 2021, the Colombian military captured Dairo Antonio “Otoniel” Usuga, the head of the Gulf Clan and one of Colombia’s most wanted drug kingpins. Although Colombian president Duque compared Otoniel’s capture to Pablo Escobar’s killing, the two men were dissimilar in most ways. Furthermore, Otoniel’s downfall is unlikely to have a positive effect on Colombia’s drug war, and may actually cause the violence to increase.
Colombia’s Tax Reforms: An Overview and Forecast
On 15th April, Colombia’s government presented its latest proposal for fiscal reforms to Congress, the so-called Sustainable Solidarity Bill (Proyecto de ley Solidaridad Sostenible). If made law, the bill will have wide ranging effects on taxation and social spending in Colombia. The bill has proved controversial, prompting criticism from parties on both the political left and right in the context of upcoming elections in 2022.
Hope for Growth? The Potential and Pitfalls of Ecotourism in Colombia
Colombia is blessed with magnificent landscapes, various regional climates and one of the highest levels of biodiversity on Earth. Consequently, there is a lot of scope for Colombia to use its natural beauty to attract tourists and tourism-related investment from around the world. Ecotourism also has the potential to assist, and be assisted by, Colombia’s ongoing peace process.
The Implications of Colombia’s Decision to Grant Temporary Residence to Venezuelan Refugees
On 8th February, Colombian President Ivan Duque announced that Colombia would grant temporary residence to over 950,000 undocumented Venezuelan migrants in the country. This announcement constitutes a significant humanitarian measure, with the potential to have a regional and international impact. What is the situation of Venezuelan migrants in Latin America and what impact might Duque’s decision have both domestically and in broader terms?
As Iván Duque completes two years as President, Colombia faces a new wave of protests
Like many other Latin American countries, Colombia’s domestic stability depends on a wide variety of factors and one event can trigger a significant wave of social unrest. We saw this for instance in Brazil in 2013 and 2014 and in Chile in 2019, when both President Dilma Rousseff and President Sebastián Piñera, respectively, raised bus and train fares, sparking protests all over the country. These small events are catalysts of something much bigger. After the killing of a civilian by police officers, demonstrations are once again erupting all over the country and do not seem to be solely focused on police brutality.
Colombia: President Duque at risk of giving ground to opposition amid ongoing crises
With internal pressure mounting, Colombia’s president Iván Duque faces serious challenges halfway through his presidency. Recent polls suggest that domestic support is decreasing, leaving his party’s dominance in peril. If Duque can’t solve the ongoing domestic crises, the opposition is likely to gain ground before the elections in 2022.
Post-conflict Colombia looks towards the future
The election of Ivan Duque could represent a pivot point in post-Conflict Colombia. How effectively his administration handles the ongoing implementation of the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC may presage the ultimate success or failure of his presidency.
Colombia’s president-elect inherits a polarized country
As the youngest president in Colombia’s history, Iván Duque’s fresh-faced and scandal-free image may prove useful in uniting Colombia in support of his administration. However, several formidable challenges have the potential to derail his administration.
