Tag: colombia

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India, Colombia agree to deepen ongoing engagements

Both sides also exchanged views on regional, multilateral, and international issues of mutual interest…reports Asian Lite News

India and Colombia reviewed the existing bilateral relations including trade, investment, energy, IT, and identified new areas of cooperation, such as in defence, renewable energy and railways during the 10th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional, multilateral, and international issues of mutual interest during the FOC on Tuesday, the Ministry of Externals Affairs (MEA) stated in a release.

The Indian delegation was led by Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), while the Colombian side was represented by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Enrique Rojas Rodriguez.

During the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), the two sides undertook a comprehensive review of the existing bilateral relations including trade and investment, energy and infrastructure including railways, health and pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, digital technology and space, consular issues, education and culture, and people to people relations, the MEA said.

Later, the Ministry of External Affairs Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said in a post on X, that discussions focussed on reviewing the existing bilateral relations and identifying new areas of cooperation, such as in defence and railways.

“Both the countries expressed satisfaction with the progress made across different sectors of engagement and agreed to not only deepen the ongoing engagement but also explore new avenues of cooperation,” the MEA release said.

India and Colombia have a long history of diplomatic relations, which were officially established on January 19, 1959. Both countries celebrated 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2019. Colombia opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 1972, followed by India establishing its Embassy in Colombia in 1973.

Over the years, the relationship between the two nations has grown stronger, with cooperation expanding across political, commercial, and cultural fields.

The Foreign Office Consultations mechanism, initiated in 1995, serves as a platform for regular dialogue between the two countries. The last round of consultations took place virtually on May 7, 2021. The meeting in New Delhi marks a significant step forward in reinforcing their friendly and dynamic relationship. (ANI)

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Prince Harry and Meghan to visit Colombia

Per Márquez, “The Archewell Foundation, founded by The Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment…reports Asian Lite News

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are headed to Colombia. “As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country,” the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, said in a statement this morning.

During their time in Colombia, Harry and Meghan will visit Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali with Márquez. “In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress,” she wrote. “In addition to these meaningful interactions, The Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”

While no specific date has been shared yet, Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit will come before the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will be held in Colombia this November. Therefore, their trip could take place anytime in the next three months.

Per Márquez, “The Archewell Foundation, founded by The Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment. The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats. It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world. During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic.”

She concluded, “We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation.”

This would mark Harry and Meghan’s third major international trip in 2024, after visiting British Columbia in February and Nigeria in May.

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Colombia to suspend coal sales to Israel over Gaza war

Colombian presidential candidates Gustavo Petro and Federico Gutierrez.(photo:https://twitter.com/petrogustavo / https://twitter.com/FicoGutierrez)

Petro wrote on the social media platform X that coal exports will only resume when the genocide in Gaza stops. …reports Asian Lite News

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday that his country will suspend coal exports to Israel over the war in Gaza, as relations sour between two countries that were once close military and commercial allies.

Petro wrote on the social media platform X that coal exports will only resume when the genocide in Gaza stops. Petro also posted a draft decree, which says that coal exports will only resume if Israel complies with a recent order by the International Court of Justice that says Israel should withdraw its troops from the Gaza strip.

According to Colombia’s National Statistics Department, coal exports to Israel were worth more than $320 million in the first eight months of last year. That’s a small fraction of the nation’s overall coal exports which were worth more than $9 billion in 2023.

Israel imports more than 50 per cent of its coal from Colombia, according to the American Journal for Transportation, and uses much of it to feed its power plants.

Petro, who was elected into office in 2022 as Colombia’s first leftist president, broke diplomatic ties with Israel in May saying that he could not maintain relations with the genocidal government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Both governments have continued to keep consulates in each other’s territories and conduct trade.

Colombia has long depended on Israel for military hardware that includes assault rifles and intelligence equipment. The South American nation has also bought more than 30 fighter jets from Israel over the past three decades, and depends on Israeli companies for their maintenance.

New military purchases have been halted however as relations between both countries deteriorate. Critics of Petro have said that the president’s decision to cut ties with Israel jeopardizes Colombia’s security capabilities as its military fights drug cartels and rebel groups in rural parts of the country.

Unlike previous Colombian presidents, who kept strong ties with Israel, Petro has been an outspoken critic of the middle eastern nation, and initially refused to condemn the Hamas attack that preceded Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

UAE, Colombia sign CEPA

The CEPA with Colombia is an important part of the UAE’s foreign trade agenda, which aims to enhance bilateral trade flows…reports Asian Lite News

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro have witnessed the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Colombia. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and His Excellency German Umaña, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism for Colombia.

The CEPA with Colombia is an important part of the UAE’s foreign trade agenda, which aims to enhance bilateral trade flows by cutting tariffs, removing trade barriers, and improving market access for both merchandise and service exports while opening pathways for investment and joint ventures in sectors such as energy, the environment, hospitality, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, and food production.

The UAE-Colombia CEPA follows an impressive increase in bilateral non-oil trade, which climbed 43% to reach an all-time high of USD 53.1 million in 2023 – more than double the total achieved in 2021. Additionally, the two nations in recent years have signed numerous cooperation agreements, which covered aviation, renewable energy, the environment, hydrogen, travel, free zones, and artificial intelligence.

During remarks at the signing ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan heralded the agreement as an important contribution to the UAE’s foreign trade approach, which seeks to advance non-oil foreign trade beyond AED 4 trillion by 2031.

His Highness noted that the establishment of strategic partnerships that serve mutual interests is part of the UAE’s efforts to build bridges of friendship and cooperation with all nations that share its vision of creating a prosperous and sustainable future for coming generations. The UAE-Colombia CEPA, His Highness continued, will open a promising new chapter in deepening economic ties between the two nations, enabling businesses to benefit from access to not only to each other’s markets but also their respective regions. His Highness remarked that Colombia’s high-growth, technologically advanced economy will provide a range of opportunities for private sector collaboration, and the UAE looks forward to leveraging these in the months and years to come.

For his part, His Excellency Gustavo Petro said, “I celebrate these new horizons being opened, like he who looks at the other side of the sea or he who crosses it, even in the midst of a storm, and is able to reach a safe haven.”

He added, “UAE and Colombian ports and our peoples may embrace in friendship, solidarity, and goodwill, which is what can actually save humanity.”

The agreement with Colombia is the latest pillar of the UAE’s CEPA programme. Agreements with India, Israel, Indonesia, Türkiye, and Cambodia are now in full operation and are already making a significant contribution to the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade, which reached a record AED 2.6 trillion – AED 3.5 trillion including trade in services – in 2023. Agreements with Congo-Brazzaville, Costa Rica, Georgia, Kenya, Mauritius, and South Korea have also been concluded.

Attending the signing ceremony were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court.

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-Top News Arab News World News

Colombia, Chile Recall Israel Envoys

The Colombian Foreign Ministry said that the government expresses its strongest rejection of the actions of the Israeli security forces in Gaza…reports Asian Lite News

Colombia and Chile have brought back their own ambassadors from Israel due to the Israeli nation’s military actions in Gaza during the ongoing conflict with the Hamas militant group.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said: “I have decided to call our ambassador in Israel for consultation. If Israel does not stop the massacre of the Palestinian people, we cannot be there.”

In a statement late Tuesday, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said that the government expresses its strongest rejection of the actions of the Israeli security forces in Gaza, and reiterates the urgency of a ceasefire and the obligation that Israel’s security forces have to observe international humanitarian law, reports Xinhua news agency.

“The full recognition of the two States by all nations of the world and dialogue between the parties should bring peace to the region,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Chilean Foreign Ministry said its decision to recall the envoy to Israel for consultations was over the country’s “violation of international humanitarian law” in the Gaza Strip.

“Chile strongly condemns and observes with great concern that these military operations, which at this point in their development involve collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, do not respect fundamental norms of International Law, as demonstrated by the more than eight thousand civilian victims, mostly women and childrent,” the Ministry said.

Chile’s presidency called for “an immediate end to the hostilities” in order to “deploy a humanitarian support operation to help the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people and civilian victims”, it added.

Colombia and Chile’s moves came just hours after Bolivia broke off diplomatic relations with Israel.

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-Top News World World News

Colombian police arrests President’s son for money laundering

This arrest came as a part of the high-profile probe into the funds that Nicolas Petro allegedly collected during last year’s election campaign..reports Asian Lite News

The son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro was arrested on the charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, Al Jazeera reported.

This arrest came as a part of the high-profile probe into the funds that Nicolas Petro allegedly collected during last year’s election campaign In a statement, the chief prosecutor’s office said Petro and his ex-wife Daysuris Vazquez were taken into custody on orders of a court in Bogota at about 6 am (local time) on Saturday.

The office said once produced before a judge, prosecutors would seek their provisional detention as it investigates the two over allegations of money laundering, reported Al Jazeera.

Talking about the case, President Petro said he would not interfere with the probe.

“As an individual and father, it pains me to see so much self-destruction and one of my sons going to jail,” Petro wrote on social media.

“As president of the republic, I’ve assured the chief prosecutor’s office that it will have all of the guarantees so it can proceed according to the law,” he added.

He tweeted further that as a person and as a father, so much self-destruction hurts him a lot and the fact that one of his sons goes to jail. He also ensured that as a President, the prosecution has all the guarantees on my part to proceed in accordance with the law.

“I wish my son luck and strength. May these events forge your character and may you reflect on your own mistakes,” the Colombian President said in a tweet.

The arrest of Nicolas Petro is a major blow to the government, which has been buffeted by conservative attacks and struggled to maintain bipartisan support for Colombia in the United States, a key ally, reported Al Jazeera.

Earlier, last month, Gustavo Petro won the election, according to preliminary results, setting the third-largest nation in Latin America on a radically new path, New York Times reported.

“Colombians, today the majority of citizens have chosen the other candidate,” he told his supporters in Bucaramanga, adding, “As I said during the campaign, I accept the results of this election.” (ANI)

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-Top News World World News

Missing children found alive after 40 days in Amazon forest

Missing kids found alive 40 days after Colombia plane crash. (credit: petrogustavo/twitter)

Four children who went missing after a plane crashed in Colombia’s Amazon forest on May 1, have been found alive, President Gustavo Petro announced.

Taking to Twitter late Friday night, Petro said: “A joy for the whole country! The 4 children who were lost 40 days ago in the Colombian jungle appeared alive.”

He also attached an image of several members of the military and Indigenous community tending to the siblings — Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy (13), Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy (9), Tien Ranoque Mucutuy (4) and Cristin Ranoque Mucutuy (1).

In a separate statement, the President called it a “magical day”, adding: “They were alone, they themselves achieved an example of total survival which will remain in history.

“These children are today the children of peace and the children of Colombia.”

Petro added that he hoped to speak with the children on Saturday.

On May 1, the Cessna 206 light aircraft was flying between Araracuara in Amazonas province and San Jose del Guaviare, a city in Guaviare, when it disappeared.

Since the crash, more than 100 soldiers with sniffer dogs have been deployed in the search and rescue operations.

Last month, the wreckage of the aircraft and bodies of the the pilot and two adults were found.

One of the dead adults, Ranoque Mucutuy, was the mother of the four children.

The family are from the Huitoto people, an indigenous group in south-eastern Colombia and northern Peru.

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Sport Sports

Spain beat Colombia 1-0 to win FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Spain beat Colombia 1-0 to win FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino complimented India for being gracious hosts of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup…reports Asian Lite News

Defending champion Spain beat Colombia 1-0 in the final to win the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium, here on Sunday.

A late own goal by Ana Guzman in the 82nd minute was the difference between the two sides. The two teams had also met in the group phase, with Spain winning 1-0.

In presence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, alongside top officials from the Asian Football Federation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF), Spain successfully defended the title which theySpain beat Colombia 1-0 to win FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

In the third-place match, Nigeria beat Germany 3-2 in a shootout after the score was 3-3 at the end of regulation time. It was Nigeria’s third straight shootout. They had beaten USA 4-3 in the quarters before losing to Colombia 6-5 in the semis.

Meanwhile, hosts India failed to clear the group stage after losing all their three matches.

However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino complimented India for being gracious hosts of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

“India has been a fantastic host. This makes me believe that you can do more in other competitions as well. In the meantime, there can be only one World Champion, but there are 210 countries that are not champions,” said Infantino.

“However, I always say that all 211 countries win in the end. Football brings smiles to every little girl and boy in the world. When children play or watch football, they smile,” he added.

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Arab News Dubai UAE News

Omar Al Olama meets Colombian Minister of Science

Al Olama stressed that the UAE is keen to share successful experiences and practices in advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) with Colombia…reports Asian Lite News

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications, said that the UAE Government is advancing its international partnerships and cooperation with various governments, through sharing successful practices in various sectors.

He made this statement during his meeting with Tito José Crissien, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Colombia, at the Colombian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the meeting, Al Olama stressed that the UAE is keen to share successful experiences and practices in advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) with Colombia. It will help identify opportunities that will support the transformation to a sustainable knowledge-based economy, through deploying advanced technologies in business development.

Omar Al Olama meets Colombian Minister of Science

He also lauded Colombia’s efforts to deploy advanced technologies in all areas of work and its role in teaching digital skills and developing human capital in this field.

In his meeting with Colombian officials, Al Olama presented the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and the country’s related achievements and major programmes and initiatives recently launched, most notably the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the first university of its kind in the world, and digital schools in developing countries which aim to end digital illiteracy.

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The sides also discussed ways of encouraging the exchange of expertise and successful practices to face future challenges and utilising digital solutions and advanced technologies to establish new government action models that will support their comprehensive digital transformation.

The meeting then discussed ways of strengthening their partnerships and enhancing their cooperation in capacity building and exchanging expertise, in addition to holding training programmes for young students in Colombia.

The meeting presented Colombia’s achievements in identifying AI ethics and explained its sustainable development goals. (WAM)

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Dubai EXPO 2020 UAE News

53 companies from Bogota to showcase their business prowess at Expo 2020

53 companies from Bogota to showcase their business prowess at Expo 2020

Bogota Chamber of Commerce to explore partnership opportunities at the 12th World Chambers Congress, Dubai…reports Asian Lite News

53 companies from Bogota and the neighboring regions of Colombia representing various industries such as technology, cosmetics, medicine, and others, are displaying their products and services at Expo 2020 Dubai, as part of the collaboration of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and ProColombia.

The presence of these companies at the Expo 2020 Dubai is due to the upcoming participation of BCC in the 12th World Chambers Congress taking place in Dubai on November 23-24, 2021. Organized by the World Chambers Federation, the event is set to explore new global partnership opportunities and help boost local trade activities.

53 companies from Bogota to showcase their business prowess at Expo 2020

BCC member companies will attend the World Chambers Congress to promote not just their offerings but also their role in advancing Colombia’s trade agenda on a global scale. The participating companies will share their experiences and provide tangible examples to demonstrate their contributions to national and international trade activities. Furthermore, the international forum is an ideal platform for BCC, to exchange best practices and knowledge with other foreign participants, as well as expand their networks and help address prevailing business issues through innovations.

NICOLAS URIBE RUEDA, PRESIDENT, BCC: “The presence of business leaders from Bogotá at Expo Dubai 2020 and the World Chambers Congress is a window for many new opportunities for our country. Our interactions will decisively allow us to join forces around revitalizing the economy and showcase the chamber’s role in driving economic growth and stability. In this year’s Congress, we are confident that Bogotá’s positioning in the Arab market will be strengthened through the attendance of these local businesses as they contribute significantly towards employment generation.”

The BCC will lead the participation of the Latin American Chambers both at the Expo and in the upcoming Congress. Part of the BCC’s agenda here in the UAE is to host a forum titled ‘The Role of The Business Sector in The Economic Reactivation Process’ at Colombia’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. During the event, more than 60 business leaders will shed light on opportunities offered by Bogotá and the region.

In addition, of the 53 Colombian companies participating at the Expo, 36 companies will be promoting their products through various commercial events; three will participate in the Gulfood Fair; and four in business meetings with potential clients. The remaining 10 will take part as well in the Global Business Forum, connecting with small and medium-sized companies, and visit accelerators and entrepreneurship centers.

These activities reflect BCC’s initiatives to foster relationships between business chambers from the Ibero-American and MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia) regions and other parts of the world. Through the events, the participants will be able to share the purpose that unites them as chambers, which is the reactivation and prosperity of their companies.

With more than 3,000 million inhabitants, MEASA is considered one of the most important geo-economic powers globally. The regional market has expanded 467 per cent in recent years, growing to USD 120.7 million in 2020 from USD 21.3 million in 2016.

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Some of the participating Colombian companies in BCC-led activities include consulting and advisory firm Todosistemas Soluciones De Tecnologia De Informacion SAS; software provider Koncilia SAS; ICT firm IZC Mayorista SAS; and hair treatment and anti-aging business Laboratorios M&N Ltda.

Also joining them are pharmaceutical and cosmetics company Denova Pharmaceutical SAS; technology and solutions provider Axon Group; ICT company Grupo OET; and armor technology provider Blinacces.