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Provides information on the violent suppression of labor rights in Colombia. Experiences of Gloria Ramirez, a Colombian union leader, in the labor movements; Attention given by he Colombian government to the forms of violence against union members; Evidence to prove that paramilitaries target union members.

El artículo presenta un análisis de la expansión de los programas de las escuelas de negocios (MBA) en Colombia. Los autores ofrecen información sobre los principales programa de MBA en el país, así como sus modalidades y duración. Crecimiento económico de Colombia y condiciones favorables para los negocios son algunas de las causas de este repunte, sostienen los autores.

The article discusses the reasons for decline in the number of journalists killed annually in Colombia. In Colombia, the taboo subjects that journalists avoid covering in fear of reprisal vary in each region. In Barrancabermeja, reporting about the strict dress codes paramilitaries use as a form of social control is off-limits. Other sensitive topics include the theft of oil from the city's oil refinery, allegedly by paramilitaries working in collusion with state agents. Most journalists consider such issues too hot to handle and fear that those they incriminate and denounce will later seek retribution. Last year was the first in decades in which no journalist was killed or kidnapped in Colombia. Despite this decline, the press continues to be muzzled, and scores of journalists are threatened and harassed by the paramilitaries and guerrilla groups. Acts of sabotage against media installations, including the recent bombing of the RCN news network studios in Call last February, show that the press continues to be the target of violent attacks. Journalists were increasingly relying on official government press releases as their only source and are practicing self-censorship as a form of protection. Journalists have become adept at self-censoring. Ricardo Rica, a columnist for the newspaper "El Universal," admits that self-censorship is common practice. INSET: Rural media in Colombia: personal and partial..

El artículo presenta un breve reporte sobre el Grupo de Inversiones Suramericanas (Grupo Sura), de Colombia, el cual adquirió la mayor parte de las carteras de seguros y pensiones de la compañía holandesa ING en América Latina, posicionándose como uno de los principales proveedores de servicios financieros de la región.

The article reports that the caterpillars of the nocturnal Eloria noyesi moths, which lay eggs only on coca plants, may be used to destroy coca and poppy crops and boost the fight against cocaine abuse. Alberto Gomez, president of the Colombian National Network of Botanical Gardens, plans to breed the moths and release them en masse near coca plantations in Colombia.

Relates on the experiences of Beatriz Satizabal, the director of Finance and Administration for Latin America With Sense International, as a woman with disabilities in Colombia. Organization of group meetings for disabled women and form local support networks; Assistance to people with disabilities in applying for government aid despite the tedious bureaucratic process; Difficulty in finding employment.

Examines the promotion of a culture of peace at the Atanasio Girardot education institute in Medellin, Colombia. Daily violence outside the school; Teaching of co-existence and non-violence; Promotion of human values.

The article discusses the Colombian government's efforts to address the threats posed by Urabenos and other drug trafficking groups that have emerged after the demobilization of right-wing paramilitary groups from 2003 onward. It cites the failure of the government to dismantle the paramilitaries' local power structures and systems of patronage. The groups' power, reach and ability to instill fear among local communities and the inefficiency of the country's justice system are also noted.

The article examines the internally displaced persons (IDP) crisis in Colombia. It mentions that the resulting displacement crisis is linked to the land grabbing that lies on the country's armed conflict. It discusses the social and economic impact of the IDP crisis on women and children. According to nongovernmental organization Consultancy on Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES), at least 4.5 million people have been forced to leave their land since 1985.

This article focuses on the rapprochement between Colombia and Venezuela. The improved relations between the two countries came immediately after the assumption to the Colombian presidency by Juan Manual Santos. To seal the restoration of their broken relations President Santos and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed several economic and cultural agreements in Caracas. It observes that economic considerations seem to have forced the two countries to forge a more pragmatic foreign policy.

The article reports on the killing of Jorge Briceno Suarez, the number two leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), by an airstrike on the jungle guerrilla camp. The death of Suarez has provided a boost to the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos. Most analysts believe that the killing of Suarez will not end the armed conflict in the country. The military offensive against the FARC is supported by the U.S.

The author reveals some of the challenges that will be confronted by the next Colombian president. She reveals the possibility of former defense minister Juan Manuel Santos to win in the elections as indicated by polls that gave him a 66% lead over rival Antanus Mockus. She offers an overview of the anti-corruption platform of Mockus and compares him to that of Santos' platform and profile. She cites that some of the challenges that the new president will face include ensuring prosperity, reducing the gap between rich and poor, among others.

The article focuses on the presidential election in Colombia which will be held on May 30 and June 20, 2010. It notes that presidential candidates Antanus Mockus, an intellectual and former mayor of Bogotá, and former Defense Minster Juan Manuel Santos promise to continue the security policy of outgoing President Alvaro Uribe. It cites that the candidates also vowed to continue the country's close relationship with the U.S. Also mentioned is their support to free-market policies.

This article discusses the declining remittances from foreign workers to Colombia. It attributes the decline to the U.S. recession that caused an increase in the number of Colombians returning home. It highlights the rising unemployment in the tourism, construction and restaurant sectors in the U.S. The impact of the decline in remittance flows on the living standards of the poor and local economies is noted.

This article explores the impact of an investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings of civilians committed by the Colombian Army. It looks at the detention of over 400 members of the armed forces for the charges. It also discusses the government's claims that many of the accusations of extrajudicial executions are false. The presence of political ramifications in the scandal is addressed.

This article looks at the possible move of the Colombian government to host a U.S. military base. It relates the possibility to the plan of the U.S. to shut down its military air base in the Ecuadorian coastal city of Manta. It believes that the potential move threatens to strain already fraught relations with Colombia's neighbors, Venezuela and Ecuador.

The article analyzes the motives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for releasing the hostages in Colombia January 2009. The Colombian government deems it as a clear sign that the guerrillas are sinking under the pressure of daily military offensives carried out by its armed forces, which have prompted increasing numbers of fighters to desert FARC ranks. The FARC is billing the hostage release as a goodwill gesture in response to humanitarian pleas from the Colombians for Peace organization.

The article reports on the human rights problems in Colombia. The later human rights violation in the country is the disappearance of 11 men from Soacha, a poor neighborhood outside of Bogotá, who were later found dead, dressed in army fatigues. The incident led to the firing of 11 army officers and the resignation of General Mario Montoya, an army commander.

This article reports that the heavy losses suffered by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have made Colombian President Álvaro Uribe the most popular leader in this country's history as he marks six years in office. Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia's defense minister, described 2008 as an annus horribilis for the FARC and a historic one for the armed forces. Ten guerrilla fighters lay down their arms every day, says the government. Six years ago, Colombians voted for Uribe because he promised to crush the deeply unpopular FARC.

The article reports on the decision of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Colombian President Álvaro Uribe to restore relations and strengthen bilateral trade between their two countries. This agreement brings an end to months of bitter feuds between the two leaders. In a statement issued by President Chávez, he said that they will relaunch their ties, starting on a personal level and then moving on to political, social and economic relations.

The article reports on the possible decline of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the oldest guerilla insurgency in Latin America. The death of Manuel Marulanda, founder and iconic leader of FARC, together with rising defections from rebel ranks have raised questions about whether the group is in an irreversible decline. Desertion has become a real concern for the guerrilla group. In the last six years, nearly 10,000 rebels have handed in their weapons, shrinking FARC ranks by roughly half.

The article states that the arrest of Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's cousin and political ally, Mario Uribe, on charges of conspiring with the country's paramilitary groups, has brought the country's para-politics scandal closer to the president's inner circle. Mario Uribe is a prominent politician engulfed in the scandal that has also led to the downfall of other leading figures. President Uribe said it is a pain he will accept with patriotism and without avoiding the fulfillment of his responsibilities.

The article analyzes the implications of the death of Raúl Reyes, commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, for Colombia's internal armed conflict with Latin America's oldest insurgency. While the killing of Reyes on Ecuadorian soil has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Colombia and its neighbors, it is the impact of his death on the country's conflict that will be noted in the annals of Colombian history.

The article focuses on the controversies raised by the decision of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez to urge the removal of Colombia's guerrilla groups from the lists of foreign terrorist organizations. Such decision led to widespread condemnation by the Colombian government and has exacerbated the diplomatic crisis between the neighboring nations. The author noted that the call to remove the guerrilla groups confirmed Colombia's suspicions that Venezuela is an ally of the guerrilla groups.

In this article, the author explores the diplomatic impact of the mediation by Venezuelan President Hugo in Colombia's hostage crisis in 2007. According to the author, the involvement of Chávez has caused the Venezuela-Colombia dispute to escalate. She attributes the dispute to the move of Colombian president Álvaro Uribe to abruptly cancel the Venezuelan president's participation in talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for the release of the hostages.

The article reports on the role of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in the negotiation between rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian government. Chavez's role as a mediator raised the public's hope about the possibility of brokering a deal to secure the release of hostages held by the guerrilla group. Chávez commands respect from the guerrillas due to their shared leftist ideology and anti-U.S. stance and has offered Venezuela as a location for negotiations that could lead to a prisoner exchange.

The article reports that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) did not releases hostages from remote jungle camps in Colombia. Colombian President Álvaro Uribe did not succeed in his plans for a possible prisoner exchange after releasing over 150 imprisoned Marxist guerrillas. Among the 56 so-called political hostages, which include members of the armed forces and local politicians, are three U.S. contractors and Ingrid Betancourt, an ex-presidential candidate.

The article reports that the parapolitics scandal has affected the reputation of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. The said scandal is affecting the call for the U.S. Congress to support the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement. The scandal by the Colombian attorney general's office has led to the imprisonment of eight pro-Uribe lawmakers for alleged ties with right-wing paramilitary groups, which are responsible for human rights abuses and the murder of scores of trade unionists.

The article reports on the Spadies software program that has been developed to help cut the high undergraduate dropout rate in Colombia. It states that the software uses various databases of student information to calculate the chances of student dropouts. It mentions that the Ministry of Education plans to install the software in 50 more universities by the end of 2007.

The article reports on the support given by U.S. President George W. Bush to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. According to Bush, Uribe has done good for his country, particularly his leadership. However, opposition parties in Colombia and many U.S. Democrats do not share the assessment of Bush of the administration especially with the scandal that links political elites with outlaw paramilitary groups.

The article reports on an appeal from non-governmental organizations (NGO) for the U.S. Congress to shift Plan Colombia Aid toward social spending. Colombia, the largest recipient of U.S aid in the Western Hemisphere, is set to pour in at the same levels as in previous years. But with a Democratic majority in the U.S. Congress, the focus of that aid may shift more toward social spending and away from military spending.

The article describes Colombia's efforts to destroy its coca plants in the Macarena National Park. The coca plant is the main ingredient for cocaine. The Macarena National Park and the surrounding area is controlled by FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrillas. The country is the leading producer of cocaine even after decades of crop spraying. Environmentalists fear that the spraying will damage other national parks as well.

This article reports that the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the second largest guerrilla group, have decided in October 2006 to enter a new phase of negotiations and start formal peace talks. The ELN want to set up a public forum on the peace process and involve a broad spectrum of civilians and members of the Catholic Church in the negotiations, including facilitators from the international community. For now, the government will have to settle for a decrease in violence and attacks perpetrated by the rebels.