These are the trending news headlines in Colombia on Monday April 10, 2023

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia, responsible for one of the largest disasters in the Western Hemisphere, is showing signs of increased activity. Experts have detected an earthquake swarm not seen since the eruption in the 1980s that killed at least 25,000 people. The Colombian government has issued evacuations in the potential impact zone and raised the alert level to orange, the second-highest on a four-stage scale. An estimated 57,000 people live in municipalities close to the volcano. The last major eruption occurred in 1985, killing thousands. The US Geological Survey recounted that "Sadly, the lahars reached Armero approximately two hours after the eruption - plenty of time for the people to have evacuated to higher ground, had they been notified more quickly."

Controversy has erupted in Colombia after Onlyfans adult film actress Katty Blake posted a video of herself performing a sex act in public at the Rock of Guatapé. The 721-foot-high (220 meters) natural landmark is considered a national treasure and La Piedra, the tourist center that manages the site, has vowed to take legal action against all those involved in the video. The incident sparked national outrage and generated widespread media coverage in Colombia. Blake and her partner Zac, who filmed the video, may face legal trouble, and residents of Guatapé, the town near the rock, are particularly incensed, having experienced similar incidents of public indecency in recent times.

Colombia has launched a new digital nomad visa, making it one of the most accessible options for remote workers looking for an affordable place to live. The visa will allow successful applicants to stay in the country for up to two years, compared to the 90-day limit for Americans without a visa. Applicants will need to show proof of employment or self-employment and earnings of at least 655 US dollars per month, as well as proof of health insurance. Colombia’s vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and low cost of living have long attracted digital nomads, making this visa a great option for those seeking a long-term stay.

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These are the trending news headlines in Colombia on Saturday April 8, 2023

Protests at a coal mine in Colombia's La Guajira province have ended after four days, allowing the mine to resume operations. The blockade was led by residents from three communities in Media Luna and had affected the rail line and entrance to the export terminal used by coal miner Cerrejon. The company, owned by Anglo-Swiss commodities giant Glencore, has had long-standing disputes with Wayuu indigenous communities over water use and pollution, dust, noise, and health issues. The company is under a court order to comply with environmental and health requirements, including reaching agreements with Wayuu communities, but has rejected calls to suspend some operations made by a U.N. Special Rapporteur in 2020.

President Gustavo Petro, wants to transform his country's "economy of death" by pivoting away from fossil fuels and narcotics toward more sustainable economic activities. This is an unprecedented energy policy, given that oil and coal make up half of Colombia's exports and the country is the world's leading cocaine producer. If Colombia can successfully undertake this pivot, it would set an example for other countries similarly addicted to such substances. However, Petro and his environmentalist vice president have encountered significant resistance to their plans, even from within their own ranks. The country also faces a huge debt problem, with one-third of government revenues flowing toward servicing its foreign debt. Despite these challenges, Colombia is offering a fundamentally different paradigm of economic development, one that's more green than pink. The question is, will the world, and particularly the United States, lend a hand in pulling Colombia out of its economic hole?

In a recent development, low-cost airline easyJet is set to acquire two Airbus A320neo planes that were initially ordered by Viva Air Colombia. The two narrowbodies are set to be delivered directly to easyJet from Airbus later this year. With the addition of the two new planes, easyJet's fleet will expand to 322 Airbus A320 family jets. The carrier has a further 132 A320neo aircraft on direct order from Airbus, with 33 orders outstanding for the A321neo variant. The increased capacity is expected to boost easyJet's summer operations, with the carrier set to offer over 125 destinations from its bases across the United Kingdom and Europe. Meanwhile, troubled Colombian airline Viva Air faces financial difficulties and has suspended operations due to a delayed takeover by Avianca.

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These are the trending news headlines in Colombia on Thursday April 6, 2023

Operations at Colombia's Cerrejon coal mine have been affected by a blockade of a rail line and export terminal used by the company, according to a statement released on Wednesday. The blockade, led by residents of three communities in Media Luna, La Guajira province, is an effort to obtain a "disproportionate agreement" following a court order for Cerrejon to reach agreements with nearby Wayuu indigenous communities regarding environmental and health requirements. The company, which is owned by Anglo-Swiss commodities giant Glencore, has already signed 302 agreements, including 11 with Media Luna communities. Blockades are common and regularly result in losses for Cerrejon, which remains open to dialogue and hopes for government help to lift the blockade.

Colombia's peso is expected to remain weak due to the central bank's wait-and-see approach to interest rates, combined with a mismatch between the currency and oil prices, according to a Reuters poll. The peso is predicted to trade at 4,800 per U.S. dollar at the end of June, which is 4.2% softer than its value on Monday. Last year, the peso was one of the world's worst-performing currencies, losing a fifth of its value due to concerns about President Gustavo Petro's proposed reforms. BanRep, the central bank, raised the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 13% last week. If inflation behaves as expected in March, it could be the last hike, according to J.P. Morgan analysts. However, they remain data-dependent, which supports their underweight view for the peso.

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