Colombia | Council on Foreign Relations

Venezuela

In Venezuela, the Latin American Left Will Show Us What it Really Stands For

The presidents of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico must constrain Maduro to negotiate—for their own good.

Blog Post by Will Freeman August 9, 2024 Latin America’s Moment
Colombia

Colombia Isn’t Ready for a New Venezuelan Migration Wave, Plus Bukele’s Mano Dura Threats Won’t Fix the Economy

Petro leaves Colombia ill-equipped to handle a new Venezuelan migration wave; Bukele’s mano dura tactics got results on crime, but won’t fix the economy.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman August 7, 2024 Latin America’s Moment
Latin America

In Latin America, Your Zip Code—Not Just Your Nationality—Determines Whether You Live in a Democracy

Many big cities are doing well, but in flyover country organized crime and corruption often smother democracy.

Article by Will Freeman July 9, 2024 Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy

Experts in this Region

Will Freeman

Fellow for Latin America Studies

Guatemala

Latin America’s Demographic Opportunity Plus Arévalo’s First Four Months

Latin America’s openness to migration may offset downsides of aging populations; Arévalo’s reform agenda for Guatemala inches forward, but roadblocks are multiplying.

Blog Post by Will Freeman and Shannon K. O'Neil May 28, 2024 Latin America’s Moment
Health

Women This Week: Heightened Levels of Malnutrition for Women and Children

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 6 to April 12.

Blog Post by Noël James April 12, 2024 Women Around the World
Mexico

CFR Fellows' Book Launch Series: From Peril to Partnership by Paul J. Angelo

In From Peril to Partnership, using case studies of Colombia and Mexico, Paul Angelo evaluates the efficacy of U.S. security assistance and the necessary conditions and stakeholders in partner nations that facilitate success. The book answers why Plan Colombia achieved its objectives and why the Mérida Initiative underdelivered in Mexico. It goes beyond drug war theatrics and the “one-size-fits-all” approach to U.S.-led stabilization. The CFR Fellows’ Book Launch series highlights new books by CFR fellows.

Event with Paul J. Angelo and Shannon K. O'Neil March 11, 2024 CFR Fellows’ Book Launch

Colombia

From Peril to Partnership

Paul J. Angelo provides the first headlining case studies of Plan Colombia and the Mérida Initiative.

Book by Paul J. Angelo March 8, 2024 Latin America Studies Program
Colombia

Complications in Colombia’s AG Selection, Plus Milei’s Electoral Reform Failure and El Salvador’s Opposition Collapses

Colombia’s process to select a new attorney general is not going smoothly; electoral reform an early failure in omnibus fiasco; and the collapse of El Salvador’s opposition is bad news for Bukele

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman February 9, 2024 Latin America Studies Program
Latin America

Amazon Deforestation Down But Little to Show for COP28, Plus Venezuela-Guyana Tensions

Region will struggle to maintain progress on deforestation. In Dubai, pledges don’t match financial commitments for Latin America. Maduro uses self-manufactured Essequibo crisis to crack down on the opposition.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman December 22, 2023 Latin America Studies Program
Colombia

Petro's Total Peace Strategy Faces Challenges, Plus USMCA Brings Judgments But Not Punishments

Petro’s Total Peace strategy faces its greatest obstacle yet; USMCA brings judgments, even as countries delay enforcement

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman November 20, 2023 Latin America Studies Program
Brazil

Latin America This Week: September 20, 2023

At 32 years old, Mercosur faces an existential crisis; Petro signals a big shift on drug policy; Massa’s last-ditch election spending will hobble the next government.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman September 20, 2023 Latin America’s Moment
Latin America Studies Program

Latin America This Week: September 7, 2023

Petro’s latest scandal could reenergize Colombia’s lackluster conservative opposition; foreign direct investment in Latin America defies global downturn.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman September 7, 2023 Latin America’s Moment
Colombia

Petro’s Total Peace Plan Turns One: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Petro’s peace plan is neither a total failure nor a total success, for now.

Blog Post by Will Freeman and Steven Holmes August 30, 2023 Latin America’s Moment
Latin America

Latin America This Week: August 9, 2023

Hot winters in the Andes and Southern Cone threaten Latin America’s advantages; Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico aim to ride U.S. semiconductor industrial policy coattails; Colombia’s new ceasefire agreement remains fragile.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman August 9, 2023 Latin America’s Moment
Latin America

The President’s Inbox Recap: Latin America’s Crime Surge

Latin America is facing a post-pandemic crime wave.

Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla August 3, 2023 The Water's Edge