Colombia; Colombia, Venezuela and U.S. Strengthen Trade Ties; U.S. Warns of ELN Attack Risks at Colombia-Venezuela Border; CAF Approves USD 1.25 Billion for Colombia Projects.

Friday, October 2, 2026. Colombia Few countries in Latin America manage to combine history, natural beauty, culture and economic importance quite like Colombia. Positioned at the crossroads of Central and South America, with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, Colombia is one of the region’s largest economies and home to more than 53 million people. It is also considered the second-most biodiverse country in the world, encompassing everything from Caribbean beaches and Amazon rainforest to vast plains, coffee-growing mountains and the soaring peaks of the Andes. Bogotá offers the energy and sophistication of a major international capital, Medellín has transformed itself into one of Latin America’s most fascinating modern cities, Cartagena preserves centuries of colonial history along the Caribbean, and beyond the major cities lies an extraordinary collection of smaller towns, mountains, rivers and landscapes that can make Colombia feel like several countries rolled into one. For the international visitor, however, Colombia offers another attraction: value. A U.S. dollar can still go surprisingly far when converted into Colombian pesos, particularly when it comes to restaurants, transportation, personal services and accommodations outside the most heavily visited tourist districts. That purchasing power is partly the result of the considerable difference between Colombian and U.S. incomes and costs of living. Colombia’s GDP per capita was approximately US$8,562 in 2025, illustrating just how different the underlying economic scale remains from that of wealthier economies. At the same time, visitors should understand that Colombia is changing. The peso strengthened substantially against the dollar during 2026, making the country somewhat more expensive for foreign travelers than it had been previously, while domestic inflation has continued to put upward pressure on prices. That contrast is part of what makes Colombia so interesting. It is a country of enormous natural wealth and considerable economic potential, yet one that continues to confront inequality, regional disparities, infrastructure challenges and the lingering effects of decades of internal conflict. At the same time, Colombia has become increasingly connected to the international economy and international tourism, while cities and regions once known abroad primarily for their difficulties are increasingly being recognized for culture, gastronomy, innovation and natural beauty. The result is a country that is difficult to describe with a single image—and perhaps that is precisely its appeal. Colombia is not simply an inexpensive destination or another stop on the map of Latin America. It is a country of remarkable contrasts: sophisticated and traditional, mountainous and tropical, cosmopolitan and rural, economically ambitious yet still affordable to many international visitors. From a cup of coffee in the Andes to an evening overlooking the walls of Cartagena, Colombia offers the opportunity to experience an extraordinary amount without necessarily spending an extraordinary amount—and, more importantly, to discover a country whose complexity is every bit as compelling as its beauty. Brett Mikkelson Founder, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: After Earthquake and Fiscal Crisis, Few Infrastructure Projects Expected to Move Forward This Year in Colombia Colombia enters the final quarter of 2026 with few infrastructure projects expected to make progress, on an agenda shaped by the fiscal crisis, negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, and the definition of the National Development Plan 2026–2030. The Development Plan is expected to be defined in late October or early November, as it must be approved by Congress. Which projects will be able to commit future budget appropriations will depend on this plan, Alexandra Jaramillo, a legal advisor specializing in infrastructure, told BNamericas. Additionally, President Abelardo de la Espriella took office on August 7, and three days later a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the western part of the country, which, according to Jaramillo, disrupted the infrastructure agenda. Two projects currently at the pre-bidding stage are Bogotá Metro Line 2 and the Northern Regiotram, both of which should make progress. Progress is also expected in the processes for the Boyacá Railway, the Canoas Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR), and the initiatives aimed at improving navigation on the Magdalena and Meta rivers. Bogotá Metro Line 2 During the final quarter of the year, the international consortia that are prequalified to build the project, whose investment is estimated at 34.9 trillion pesos (approximately US$10.5 billion), should submit their respective financial and technical proposals. The consortia interested in the 5.5-kilometer line, which will have 11 stations, are: APCA ML2 Bogotá (with Portuguese and French participation), comprising: APCA Metro Capital L2 (Chinese consortium), comprising: APCA Bogotá Metro Capital (with Spanish participation), comprising: A specialized team at Metro de Bogotá is currently evaluating the legal and financial capabilities and experience of the applicant consortia. Northern Regiotram The project’s final bidding documents are expected to be published during the final three months of the year. The project is valued at approximately 11 trillion pesos (around US$3.3 billion). The commuter railway will have a 48.9-kilometer route and is expected to serve the current and potential demand of Sabana Centro, including the municipalities of Zipaquirá, Cajicá, and Chía. It will have 17 stations and 26 fully electric trains, which will integrate with the district’s public transportation system: Bogotá’s two metro lines, the TransMilenio trunk routes, and the Western Regiotram. Boyacá Railway The government of the department of Boyacá expects to complete the prefeasibility studies for the Boyacá railway corridor in November. The project is valued at 24 trillion pesos (US$7.2 billion). The corridor is being designed to operate at 120 km/h, with a projected capacity of 22 million passengers per year by 2050 and up to three million tons of freight, starting at 1.1 million tons. Currently, operating at 20 km/h, it transports 41,000 tons. The Boyacá government is contributing 50.5% of the resources required to structure the project and has also allocated funds for the feasibility study. The Boyacá Railway would become Colombia’s first regional railway system to integrate two departments and the country’s capital, covering 12 municipalities in Boyacá and eight in Cundinamarca. Canoas Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR Canoas) During the fourth quarter, the World Bank’s no-objection declaration for