News
Rally For Marijuana Legalization In Medellin
By Colombia Beat on May 11, 2011
A very mellow crowd took to Medellin streets recently in a march supporting legalization of marijuana. The predominantly young protesters smoked openly and carried banners supporting their cause. While there was a large police presence, no arrests were reported. Colombia, like many other countries, maintains a paradoxical law regarding marijuana that makes more...
Medellin’s La 70 Nightlife
By NickAtNight on April 19, 2011
La 70 is one of Medellin's most popular areas for nightlife, and for good reason. Wall to wall bars and dance clubs line Carrera 70 (whence the neighborhood gains its name) for several blocks near Circular 2, blasting merengue, vallenato, salsa, and the occasional English language song. Drinks are relatively inexpensive at about $1.50 a beer, $14 a media for guaro. more...
Illegal Gold Mines Expected To Flourish
By JoshCase on April 15, 2011
In a textbook example of unintended consequences, Colombia's recent restrictions on gold mining in environmentally sensitive areas are expected to exacerbate ecological problems. For many years, Colombia's significant gold deposits went untapped because mining companies considered Colombia's security situation to be too precarious. However, as Colombia has become more...
Tongue-Pierced Luisa Revisited
By NickAtNight on April 13, 2011
Luisa of tongue-piercing fame has become so popular since the first piece mentioning her that I, NickAtNight, took it upon myself to track her down for some new photos. After several nights of bar hopping, false leads and countless cuarticos of guaro, I managed to locate the elusive Luisa. I hope you, kind reader, appreciate the lengths I go to for your reading more...
Military Seizes 800 Kilos of Cocaine in Cartagena
By JoshCase on April 1, 2011
In the largest drug bust in recent memory, the Colombian military recently seized 811 kilos of cocaine from a boat in the city of Cartagena. The raid on a boat named Linda Melodia, or Pretty Melody, was conducted jointly by the Colombian Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and government investigators. Four men were arrested. The drugs were estimated to have a street more...
Second Discovery of Liquid Cocaine In Medellin
By NickAtNight on March 27, 2011
Authorities have discovered their second cache of liquid cocaine in the Medellin area in the last week. Earlier this week, over 250 kilos of liquid cocaine were unearthed in the northern Medellin suburb of Bello. A few days later, several foreigners were discovered to be transporting liquid cocaine in their bodies at the Jose Maria Cordova International Airport more...
Queen Sofia of Spain Visits Poor Side of Cartagena
By JoshCase on March 24, 2011
Cartagena's Nelson Mandela Neighborhood Most know the beautiful Caribbean city of Cartagena for its white sand beaches, 20-story oceanfront hotels, and crowded discos, but there is another side to the city that few tourists experience. Queen Sofia of Spain recently visited that other side of Cartagena, the barrio known as Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is likely more...
Pipeline Explosion Caused By FARC
By JoshCase on March 2, 2011
The left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attacked a Colombian oil pipeline located near the Colombian-Venezuelan border, according to Colombian officials. The co-owner of the pipeline, Colombia's Ecopetrol, stated that no oil was flowing through the pipeline at the time of the explosion, yet nevertheless notified Venezuela's Petróleos de Venezuela of more...
Drug Smuggling Submarine Seized In SW Colombia
By JoshCase on February 27, 2011
The Colombian military seized a privately built 100 foot, fully-submersible submarine recently near the Colombia-Ecuador border. The submarine, complete with periscope and air-conditioning system and deemed ocean-worthy by experts, is believed to have been commissioned by Colombian cocaine traffickers to carry the contraband to Mexico or perhaps all the way to the more...
Colombian Peso Exchange Rate