Tue, 30 September 2025
I came into this conversation thinking that I'd be chatting about the trivialities of an expedition through South America and I left in a state of absolute disbelief and awe. Oliver Treviso is a fascinating and incredible individual who has become the first person ever to hike the length of the Andes through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. In this first episode, we discuss how this adventure came to be...his experience sailing in a catamaran across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Brazil, and by all accounts the boat was hardly seaworthy. Then, a love for South America was kindled and before long, he was back on the continent and hiked for 21 months, for 8000 miles and wearing out nine pairs of shoes. The journey was not without its hazards and dangers, but he made it. We'll record a second episode with Oliver to hear more about his time in Colombia and Venezuela, but for the time being, tune in to an amazing story of human kindness and spirit. Oliver is raising money for, Mind Ystradgynlais, a mental health charity and you can donate here: https://minditv.org.uk/walking-the-andes/ The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com Support us: https://patreon.com/colombiacalling
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Tue, 23 September 2025
This week, Colombia’s special peace tribunal, the JEP, handed down its first sentences to the soldiers who murdered and framed civilians to boost military statistics – killings which came to be known as the ‘false positives.’
The court has ordered those who committed atrocities to work on community projects, to build works in the territories where they left scars, and to face the communities whose rights they violated, as agreed in the 2016 Peace Accord. I’ll be explaining the ruling in this week’s Colombia Briefing along with this week’s other headlines.
To mark this historic ruling, this week’s episode will be an extended and updated audio version of Emily Hart's investigation into those war crimes and the families still seeking justice – an article first published in DG Magazine - read by the author herself.
During Colombia’s civil conflict, the army murdered thousands of civilians - framing them as guerrillas and criminals to boost statistics. In exchange for ‘combat kills,’ soldiers received cash, holidays, and promotions. The official number is 6,402 – though many estimate that the real number is closer to 10,000. |
Tue, 16 September 2025
Cartagena is the eternal city of Colombian tourism. The Old City, the UNESCO World Heritage ramparts and colonial streets are protected from the ills befalling contemporary Colombia and so, this picturesque and sophisticated destination, with direct international flights from Europe and the United States, is frequently adorning the covers of glossy travel magazines. However, there is more to Cartagena, beyond the chic rooftop bars, the colonial architecture and the incredible restaurants. Travel is different now visitors demand authenticity and experiential options. And, this is where Nina Schlieper of Alternate Travel Cartagena and Bruce McLean of BNB Colombia Tours come in. Working with the local communities and within the area of La Boquilla - a small fishing village outside of Cartagena - Nina's agency works to empower women, teach the heritage and history of the region and generate income and employment in this part of the Caribbean coast. Tune in to this excellent and upbeat episode of the Colombia Calling podcast. https://www.alternativetravelcartagena.com/home/ https://bnbcolombia.com The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart. https://harte.substack.com
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Tue, 9 September 2025
Following fast in the footsteps of Episode 1: "Alvaro Uribe the Early Years and Rise to Power, 1952-1994," Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports and myself have now completed Episode 2 for you of this series entitled: "The Hidden History of Alvaro Uribe," part 2. All Colombia-watchers are well aware of the polarising nature of the former two-time president and so Alsema and I have been putting together this series, citing documentation that is all in the public domain as so many of the actual facts are lost in the incessant noise surrounding Uribe. As events have been moving fast surrounding Uribe and his sentencing last month, Alsema and myself also put out an "explainer episode" which can also be accessed here on Patreon. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart. Please subscribe to her Substack: https://harte.substack.com |
Tue, 2 September 2025
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl and Emily Hart engage with Professor Nicolas Forsans of the University of Essex, a Latin America specialist, to discuss the multifaceted issues facing Latin American cities, including violence, inequality, urbanization, and gentrification. Together, they explore the historical context of these challenges, the role of grassroots communities, and the pervasive issue of extortion. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of organized crime, the impact of gentrification, and potential solutions to these pressing problems, emphasizing the need for economic growth and stronger state institutions. Check out Nicolas Forsans' substack: https://sinfiltroya.substack.com/ and The Colombia Briefing with Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com
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