Andean Region

The region's energy sector is in a state of contradictory pressures. Colombia's government faces accusations of harming its oil industry while announcing major offshore gas discoveries, and Ecuador suffers massive losses from rampant fuel theft. Concurrently, wind energy projects face local opposition, and mining ventures like Tiger Gold's Quinchía project are advancing.

• 2President Petro is Killing Colombia's Oil Industry
• 2Colombia announces major offshore gas discoveries
• 2PDAC JV Video: Tiger Gold pushes Quinchía beyond first mine plan
• 1Ecuador Loses $100 Million a Year to Fuel Theft, and It's Getting Worse - Crude Oil Prices Today
• 1Wind energy projects in La Guajira face indigenous concerns

Colombian politics are dominated by the Petro administration's international legal jeopardy and domestic electoral positioning. U.S. prosecutors are investigating President Petro, while domestically, the ruling Historical Pact alliance won congressional elections and Paloma Valencia emerges as a strong contender. Regionally, Ecuador expelled Cuba's ambassador and Colombia denied claims of cross-border bombings.

• 4Ecuador expels Cuban diplomats amid island-wide blackout
• 3U.S. Prosecutors Are Investigating Colombia President Gustavo Petro
• 2Latin American leaders wrap CELAC meeting in Colombia - newsus.cgtn.com
• 2Ecuador denies Colombian president's claim of cross-border bombings
• 2Mexico, Colombia and Brazil call for immediate ceasefire in Middle East

Security is overshadowed by a devastating military plane crash in Colombia that killed dozens of troops, triggering a 'junk plane' controversy. Ecuador is conducting intensive joint military operations with the U.S. against organized crime, while Colombia and Ecuador trade accusations over border bombings and bodies found. A suspect in an Ecuadorian presidential candidate's murder was arrested in Mexico.

• 20Military plane crash in Colombia kills dozens of troops
• 18U.S. and Ecuador launch joint military operation against organized crime
• 5Suspect in Ecuadorian presidential candidate's murder arrested in Mexico
• 5Colombia accuses Ecuador of border bombings after finding 27 bodies
• 2Colombian Air Force plane crashes with over 100 military personnel aboard

Society is gripped by national trauma and outrage over the Colombian military plane crash, with the death toll rising and public controversy growing over the aircraft's condition. This disaster overshadows other issues like severe flooding affecting over 1,000 people and warnings from Colombia's Ombudsman about criminal governance in parts of the country.

• 12 CFE-run power plants fined for polluting La Paz area
• 1Death toll rises to 69 in Colombian plane crash, 'junk plane' controversy grows
• 1Colombia Aircraft With Over 100 Passenger On Board Crashes in Puerto Leguzamo
• 1Video. Colombia: Torrential rain triggers severe flooding in Facatativá, over 1,000 affected
• 1Peruvian presidential candidate dies in traffic accident