605: Colombia's Election Results Explained
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
Release Date: 03/10/2026
607: Small Earthquakes and what we never learnt in school about South America
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
Blending travel writing, history and reportage, our guest on this week's Colombia Calling podcast is award-winning journalist and author Shafik Meghji who tells a tale of footballers and pirates, nitrate kings and wool barons, polar explorers and cowboys, missionaries and radical MPs. From a ghost town in one of the world's driest deserts to a far-flung ranch in the sub-polar tundra; rusting whaling stations in the South Atlantic to an isolated railway built by convicts. '[An] appealing fusion of travelogue and history, excavating the roots and remnants of British influence in Argentina, Chile...
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606: Unveiling the Wayuu Culture: Language, Traditions, and Modern Challenges
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
Join host Richard McColl as he explores the rich Wayuu culture and language of the Guajira region in Colombia with Dr. Paul McAleer. Discover insights into indigenous traditions, linguistic preservation, and community impact through innovative workshops and cultural projects. Check out the Akuaipa Artisans store: The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
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605: Colombia's Election Results Explained
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
On 8 March, Colombians voted in primaries and congressional elections — electing candidates for 102 Senate seats, 182 House seats. Turnout in the election was notably low but marked a slight increase from the 2022 elections. Colombia’s leftist ruling party, the Pacto Histórico, won the majority of seats in the Senate — 4.3 million votes (22.8 per cent) that translates to 25 seats. They were followed by the rightwing Centro Democrático which increased its representation to 17 seats in the Senate, with 15.6 per cent of the vote. But neither secured a majority, highlighting...
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604: Traveling to Colombia with Kids: A Family's Adventure
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
Learn how a family navigated their journey to Colombia with kids, from planning to experiences in diverse ecosystems. Discover tips for family travel in Colombia! Traveling with children can be daunting, especially to a country like Colombia, which many people still view through a lens of caution. In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, we’ll explore the inspiring journey of Mae Star and Matt from Vermont, who made the bold decision to homeschool their children while traveling through this beautiful and biodiverse country. You’ll learn about their motivations, planning...
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603: The War on Drugs: The Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico (Part 1)
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
On the Colombia Calling podcast this week, we join forces with Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports to discuss the Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico and its origins. Discover the secrets behind one of the most enigmatic drug trafficking organizations in Colombia: La Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico, now the most powerful cartel in the country.
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602: Governing the Excluded: Insights from Briceño, Colombia
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Alex Diamond, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University, about his book 'Governing the Excluded: Rural Livelihoods Beyond Coca in Colombia's Peace Laboratory.' They explore the complexities of Briceño, a rural community in Colombia that serves as a peace laboratory for the coca substitution program. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by local farmers, the importance of infrastructure, the dynamics of authority between state and guerrilla forces, and the impact of national...
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601: President Petro's Trip to the Trump White House
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
The much-anticipated visit of Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House couldn't have gone better given the circumstances. Let it not be overlooked that President Trump needs an ally in Colombia now that he is "running" Venezuela. This week, Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports and Richard McColl of Colombia Calling provide an analysis of Colombian President Gustavo Petro's trip to meet President Trump and also, why former Colombian president Andres Pastrana is in hot water over the Epstein files. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
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600: Episode 600 of the Colombia Calling podcast with Emily Hart and Richard McColl
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this celebratory 600th episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, hosts Richard McColl and Emily Hart reflect on the evolution of their podcast, the significant political changes in Colombia, and the lessons learned from living in the country. They discuss the impact of a left-wing president, the changing landscape of podcasting, and offer advice for newcomers to Colombia. The conversation also touches on common misconceptions about the country and predictions for its future. In this engaging conversation, Emily Hart and Richard McColl explore various themes surrounding Colombia, including...
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599: The Art of Rebellion in Bogotá
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Eric Stone, a journalist and photographer, about the vibrant graffiti scene in Bogotá. They explore the evolution of graffiti as an art form, its political significance, and the cultural exchange between Bogotá and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Eric shares personal anecdotes from his experiences with local artists (Toxicomano, Guache, Leela, DJLu, Erre, Stickfish amongst others) and discusses his upcoming book project that aims to capture the essence of Bogotá through its graffiti. The conversation delves into the...
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598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl interviews Jessica M. Lepler, Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, about her new book 'Canal Dreamers.' The conversation delves into the historical attempts to build a canal across Lake Nicaragua in the 1820s, the geopolitical interests of foreign investors, and the complexities of Central American history. Lepler shares insights from her extensive research, including the role of families in uncovering historical documents, the impact of the 1825 financial crisis, and the perspectives of...
info_outlineOn 8 March, Colombians voted in primaries and congressional elections — electing candidates for 102 Senate seats, 182 House seats. Turnout in the election was notably low but marked a slight increase from the 2022 elections.
Colombia’s leftist ruling party, the Pacto Histórico, won the majority of seats in the Senate — 4.3 million votes (22.8 per cent) that translates to 25 seats. They were followed by the rightwing Centro Democrático which increased its representation to 17 seats in the Senate, with 15.6 per cent of the vote.
But neither secured a majority, highlighting the fragmented nature of Colombia’s political landscape. The next president, whoever it is, will have to negotiate with lawmakers to push through a legislative agenda.
Richard McColl of Colombia Calling and Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports discussed the results on this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast.
The Colombia Briefing by Emily Hart is for subscribers only this week.