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<title>Colombia News Blog, </title>
<description>Colombia News Blog most recent posts</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com</link>
<language>en</language>
<category></category>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:38:02 GMT</pubDate>
<ttl>200</ttl>

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<title>Rescuer used Red Cross emblem - Uribe</title>
<description>Posted by Website Introductions: Among the agreements made in the Geneva Convention is the prohibition of the wrong use of the Red Cross emblem. By disguising one's self as a Red Cross volunteer, future humanitarian workers' lives may be put at risk. This is why Colombian President Uribe was put gained unfavorable response after one of his men used the Red Cross emblem to rescue&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;farc&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;humanitarian workers&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/farc/20080717-15382-Rescuer-used-Red-Cross-emblem---Uribe</link>
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<title>Happy Hostages - Unhappy Government</title>
<description>Posted by Website Introductions: Kidnapping is always a bad experience for the people who are kidnapped, the family of the kidnapped and the goverment of the country in which the kidnappings took place. Therefore when hostages get freed it is usually a happy occassion and so was this one when 15 hostages were released after years of captivity by the FARC. Read out more about why&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;farc&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;kidnapping&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/farc/20080717-063723-Happy-Hostages---Unhappy-Government</link>
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<title>Weak Currency, Hot Ladies</title>
<description>Posted by Website Introductions: I'm not exactly sure if there is any correlation, but humorists seem to think that there is a correlation between a weak currency and the hotness of its women. Sounds weird, doesn't it In fact, according to the 'study', Colombia comes on top of the hot-women-weak-currency list. That's sweet. News: Why A Weak Dollar Will Make American Women Look &lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;hottest women&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;weak currency&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/hottest_women/20080709-145743-Weak-Currency-Hot-Ladies</link>
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<title>Daniel Ortega raises suspicion of FARC connections</title>
<description>Posted by Website Introductions: The United States and Colombia are becoming more suspicious of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega after he eulogized Manuel Marulanda, deceased founder and leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). During the eulogy, Ortega called the leader &quot;our brother&quot; yet again after previously calling him his &quot;dear brother&quot;. Because of&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;farc&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;daniel ortega&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/farc/20080529-105541-Daniel-Ortega-raises-suspicion-of-FARC-connections</link>
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<title>FARC leader dies of heart attack</title>
<description>Posted by Website Introductions: Colombian Marxist rebel group FARC receives a large blow as its top leader, Pedro Antonio Marin, died of a heart attack last March 26. This was confirmed by the rebel group itself. This has further weakened the rebel group after it lost top commanders during military operations Marulanda joined the FARC in the 1940s and died at the age of 74. More&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;farc&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;terrorists&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/farc/20080525-145634-FARC-leader-dies-of-heart-attack</link>
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<title>Bus crash in Colombia kills 27 holidaymakers</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: A rear tire blowout on a modified bus packed with passengers at the start of the holiday weekend, resulted in the death of 27 people including 6 children. Original source: Yahoo News . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ s/ ap/ 20070406/ ap_ on_ re_ mi_ ea/ colombia_ bus_ crash_ 2;_ ylt=Akg2BrfhAgmWuXdepKphjTuwv7kA, anchor:&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;accidents&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 1.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/accidents/20070408-084643-Bus-crash-in-Colombia-kills-27-holidaymakers</link>
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<title>Fugitive paramilitary leader captured in Colombia</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: One of the few paramilitary leaders who turned down a government peace deal, and instead went into hiding, has been captured in a remote banana growing area. Original source: Yahoo News . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ s/ ap/ 20070404/ ap_ on_ re_ la_ am_ ca/ colombia_ paramilitary_ captured_ 2;_&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;military&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/military/20070408-08404-Fugitive-paramilitary-leader-captured-in-Colombia</link>
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<title>Rural populace suffer from land mines </title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: When President Alvaro Uribe took office five years ago, he stocked the military with the latest U.S. weapons and equipment, thereby forcing the rebels deep into the bush, where they increasingly began laying land mines. These are now reaping havoc amongst the rural populace. Original source: International Herald Tribune . As rebels go on&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;military&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/military/20070406-065546-Rural-populace-suffer-from-land-mines-</link>
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<title>No truth in drug trafficking charges say ELN rebels</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Alleging that government accusations that it has become a drug trafficking group will jeopardize the preliminary peace talks, Colombia's second-biggest rebel army on Wednesday denied that there was any truth in the charges. Original source: Reuters . Colombia's ELN rebels deny gov't cocaine charges&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;politics&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/politics/20070405-083158-No-truth-in-drug-trafficking-charges-say-ELN-rebels</link>
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<title>Colombia say Israeli men instructed paramilitary fighters</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Colombian authorities want three Israeli men arrested in connection with the alleged training of paramilitary fighters in the 1990s, and warrants have been issued. Original source: BBC news . Colombia seeks Israelis' arrests&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;international&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/international/20070405-082227-Colombia-say-Israeli-men-instructed-paramilitary-fighters</link>
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<title>American sex entrepreneur slain </title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Gunmen on a motorcycle shot and killed the American entrepreneur who introduced foreign men to &quot;young, sexy, exotic and beautiful Latin Women&quot; via the Internet. Original source: Yahoo News . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ s/ ap/ 20070401/ ap_ on_ re_ la_ am_ ca/ colombia_ american_ killed_ 6;_ ylt=AqlpSymsxcsGulP1OAXdNAWwv7kA,&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;crime&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/crime/20070402-11168-American-sex-entrepreneur-slain-</link>
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<title>Life in prison for a prosecution witness is tough</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Once a high-level official in the government's intelligence agency, Rafael Garcia is a star prosecution witness in the ongoing investigation of alleged links between Colombian officials and right-wing paramilitary groups. Original source: Washington Post . Colombian Unravels Government-Paramilitary Ties&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;legal&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/legal/20070402-111325-Life-in-prison-for-a-prosecution-witness-is-tough</link>
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<title>Cartagena slums slowly encroaching</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Despite being home to many celebrities who have purchased expensive real estate here, the city of Cartagena is crumbling at the edges as the rings of slums encroach on the fancier areas. Original source: Yahoo News . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ s/ ap/ 20070325/ ap_ on_ re_ la_ am_ ca/ colombia_ tale_ of_ two_ cartagenas_ 2,&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;real estate&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/real_estate/20070401-094556-Cartagena-slums-slowly-encroaching</link>
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<title>Colombia rejects Paramilitary reports as unfounded</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Official Colombian spokesmen have dismissed the published report which reputedly had the C.I.A. linking the chief of the army to paramilitary death squads, as untrue and unfounded. Original source: New York Times . Colombia Rejects Paramilitary Report&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;international&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/international/20070401-094245-Colombia-rejects-Paramilitary-reports-as-unfounded</link>
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<title>Colomobian mayor not deterred by constant threats</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: A Colombian mayor, Cielo Gonzalez refuses to step down despite the constant threats made against her, and her house looks like a Marine, buttressed by stacks of sandbags to absorb any blasts. She travels with 10 gun-toting guards, and recently received a gift from President Alvaro Uribe of the most heavily armored SUV in Colombia. Original&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;human interest&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/human_interest/20070331-17008-Colomobian-mayor-not-deterred-by-constant-threats</link>
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<title>Colombian poor live on less than $450 a month</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Colombia is still seen as a poor country despite a big decline in the number of families classified as such. A family of four is considered poor in Colombia if it lives on less than $450 a month. Original source: Yahoo News . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ s/ nm/ 20070328/ wl_ nm/ colombia_ poverty_ dc_ 1;_ ylt=AgxR2mi_&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;economy&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/economy/20070331-165615-Colombian-poor-live-on-less-than-450-a-month</link>
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<title>U.S. wants Colombian arrested, offers reward</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Reports say that the U.S. has named Ochoa Vasco, who is also known as Carlos Mario, as the head of a vast drug-smuggling empire stretching across Central America, and is offering a reward of up to five million dollars for tips leading to his arrest. Original source: Yahoo News . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ s/ afp/ 20070328/&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;international&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/international/20070331-165253-US-wants-Colombian-arrested-offers-reward</link>
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<title>Minister resigns after brother jailed</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: The growing scandal over cooperation between politicians and right wing militias, has led to the Colombia's foreign minister resigning four days after her senator brother was jailed. Original source: Yahoo News . Minister quits as brother arrested&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;politics&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/politics/20070331-164921-Minister-resigns-after-brother-jailed</link>
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<title>We ll talk to Farc says Uribe</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Farc, the country's largest rebel group, has been fighting the Colombian government for over 40 years. Now Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has expressed willingness to reopen &quot;direct contact&quot; with them. Original source: BBC news . Colombia head 'ready for talks'&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;politics&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/politics/20070330-095727-Well-talk-to-Farc-says-Uribe</link>
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<title>Rebels heavily involved in border crime say officials</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: According to official announcements, Colombian rebel groups are engaged in cattle rustling, extortion, drug traffic and kidnappings on the Colombia-Venezuela border Original source: Daily News . Colombian guerrillas use Venezuela as logistic base&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;crime&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/crime/20070330-09273-Rebels-heavily-involved-in-border-crime-say-officials</link>
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<title>Warlord starts listing army men who helped him</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Glancing down often at his laptop and wearing an expensive suit, a top paramilitary warlord started listing the names of army personnel who helped him carry out savage massacres in Colombia's civil war. Original source: International Herald Tribune . Colombian warlord testifies on links with military&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;military&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/military/20070329-03591-Warlord-starts-listing-army-men-who-helped-him</link>
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<title>Democrats will block free trade agreement s</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Democrats have said they will block the proposed free trade agreements between the United States and Colombia, Peru and Panama, unless the Bush government makes big changes to them. Original source: Reuters . Democrats seek changes in Colombia, Peru pacts&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;politics&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/politics/20070329-035230-Democrats-will-block-free-trade-agreement-s</link>
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<title>Ex-captive in Colombia tells how he escaped</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: For the entire duration of his long period of captivity at the hands of leftist rebels, Fernando Araujo dreamed of escaping. Finally amid the gunfire and chaos of a New Year's Eve military attack, he took the opportunity to make a break for it. Original source: Los Angeles Times . [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. latimes. com/ news/&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;human interest&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/human_interest/20070328-081842-Ex-captive-in-Colombia-tells-how-he-escaped</link>
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<title>Militia leader admits connection with terror squads</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: A top commander of Colombia's right wing militias Salvatore Mancuso admitted to prosecutors that he was responsible for hundreds of kidnappings, murders and massacres during his 15-year career in the death squads that spread terror throughout Colombia in the name of fighting leftist rebels. Original source: Guardian Unlimited . Colombian militia&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;military&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/military/20070328-075548-Militia-leader-admits-connection-with-terror-squads</link>
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<title>Colombia overwhelm Switzerland in soccer friendly</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Switzerland acknowledged that they had been caught off guard by a superior team as Colombia romped to a 3-1 friendly win over their Euro 2008 soccer co-hosts in Miami on Sunday. Original source: Reuters . Colombia score comfortable 3-1 win over Switzerland&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;sports&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/sports/20070327-040929-Colombia-overwhelm-Switzerland-in-soccer-friendly</link>
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<title>Colombia denies army chief had ties with militias</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Colombian officials have strenuously denied reports appearing in the U.S. media that the army chief collaborated with right-wing militias accused of atrocities, drug-trafficking and massacres. Original source: Reuters . Colombia rejects report on army chief ties to militias&lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;military&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/military/20070327-040519-Colombia-denies-army-chief-had-ties-with-militias</link>
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<title>Most Colombians do support Uribe on paramilitaries</title>
<description>Posted by Giovanni: Despite the problems faced by President Uribe, particularly regarding the future of the former paramilitaries, and the risk that many return to violent crime, most Colombians reportedly support his moves. Original source: The Economist . The perils of parapolitics &lt;br&gt;Tags: &lt;b&gt;politics&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. Comments: 0.</description>
<link>http://news.totalcolombia.com/politics/20070326-040623-Most-Colombians-do-support-Uribe-on-paramilitaries</link>
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