The Future of Colombia

Aspen UK

Colombia is recognised for its diverse landscapes, and rich heritage and culture but for years had a reputation for violence and civil unrest. It’s known for its war and peace, with a 50-year civil war officially ending in 2016. Despite this monumental step, Colombia still faces problems, with drug trafficking, illegal armed groups and high levels of internally displaced people. Can Colombia overcome these significant challenges? What will the future look like under the newly-elected President, Gustavo Petro?

In this episode, Pablo Navas, Executive Director of Aspen Colombia is joined by Alejandra Botero Barco, Director of the National Planning Department in the Government of Colombia; Malcolm Deas, Emeritus Fellow at the University of Oxford and Mauricio Rodriguez, founder of Portfolio and former Ambassador to the UK. They discuss how the momentous election of Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla fighter, will shape Colombia’s economic trajectory, internal security, and standing within Latin America.

This episode was recorded as a live broadcast on 28 June 2022.

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