Backgrounders about Colombia, and how it works – or doesn’t – drawn from my context journalism and years of living here.

The lowdown on Colombian narco-subs

Narco-subs are back in the news in March 2023 with the capture of two clandestine craft, one in the Colombian Pacific with two tons of cocaine – and two bodies – on board, and another found empty in an estuary by Spain’s Atlantic coast.
Here’s some info and links on the world of underwater smuggling.

Is Bogotá a 15-minute City?

Is Bogotá a 15-minute city? We look at possibilities of green ubran planning in La Soledad barrio.

Colombia’s cocaine conflicts, 2023

An update from the front line communities where a cruel war between armed groups headed by former FARC guerrillas is trapping Afrocolombian communities in new cycles of violence.

Bogotá: day trip to Ciudad Bolivar

Ruta de la Esperanza is a guided tour to the heights of Bogotá’s Ciudad Bolivar, shows the poverty and hardship of the city’s south side, and includes a trip in the new Transmicable cable car.

Flying Colombia’s DC-3s

Legendary Douglas DC-3 planes are still plying the jungle routes of Colombia. Here’s some photos . At the end of the post is information for travellers on how to ride these classic cargo planes.

A guide to Colombia’s classic 4x4s

Rural Colombia runs on old ‘campero’ cars…so if you don’t know your Uaz from your Gaz, or or Suzi from your Taft (‘Tough Almighty Fourwheeldrive Transport’) then check out our guide to Colombia’s classic 4x4s.