Juan Manuel Santos

Main Colombia narco gang ready to surrender

Bogota - Emirates Voice

Colombia's most powerful drug trafficking gang is ready to turn itself in to authorities, President Juan Manuel Santos announced Tuesday. Santos said his government met with the head of the Gulf Clan on Sunday, who had made clear he was ready "to submit to justice with all of his men."Read more

Colombia declares conflict with FARC over

Bogota - Emirates Voice

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos declared the country's 50-year conflict with the FARC guerrilla group "truly over" Tuesday, with the disarming of the rebel group complete. The UN-supervised process concluded with the delivery of the last truckloads of weapons from areas where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) began demobilizing at the start of the year. "With the layingRead more

King congratulates Colombian President

Amman - Emirates Voice

His Majesty King Abdullah II on Wednesday sent a cable to President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, congratulating him on his country’s national day. In the cable, King Abdullah wished the Colombian President continued good health and his people further progress and prosperity. Source: Fana News Read more

Two killed,in mine explosion

Abu Dhabi - Emirates Voice

An explosion at a central Colombian coal mine killed at least two people Friday, as rescuers scrambled to find another 11 who are still missing, authorities said, updating earlier figures. The blast occurred at a coal mine in the town of Cucunuba in Cundinamarca state, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) north of Bogota, at about 2130 GMT. President Juan ManuelRead more

Colombia’s FARC rebels begin disarming

Bogota - Arab Today

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels began disarming Wednesday under UN supervision, the culmination of a historic peace process to end half a century of conflict. After weeks of mustering its troops at designated disarmament zones, the FARC will start to inventory its weapons and destroy munitions, its leaders and the government announced Tuesday. “As a concrete firstRead more

France President in Columbia to Show Support for Peace

Bogota - Arab Today

French President Francois Hollande is in Colombia's capital as part of a two-day tour to express his support for a peace deal to end the country's half-century conflict. It's the first visit to the South American nation by a French head of state in 28 years. Hollande was received with honors Monday by President Juan Manuel Santos. He is expectedRead more

Colombian rebels hopeful of dialogue with gov't

Quito - ArabToday

Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group on Friday said it was hopeful that peace talks with the government would be successful. "We hope to provide good news about the dialogue with the government," the rebels posted via Twitter in the lead up to a meeting here with representatives of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. Later, ELN Ranpal, the group'sRead more

Colombian president says ex-police chief to become new VP

Bogota - ArabToday

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced Thursday ex-police chief Oscar Naranjo would replace Vice President German Vargas Lleras, who is expected to quit to run for presidency. "The general is a person who has served the country his entire life. He is a person whose loyalty is above reproach, a person who won the respect of all Colombians and theRead more

Colombia's Santos accepts Nobel Prize as 'gift from heaven'

Oslo - Arab Today

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, saying it helped make possible the "impossible dream" of ending his country's half-century-long civil war, ABC News reported. In his acceptance speech in Oslo, Norway, Santos described the award as a "gift from heaven" and dedicated it to all Colombians, particularly the 220,000 killed and 8 million displacedRead more