(AP Video by Samuel Sotomayor. Produced by Teresa de Miguel)

Venezuelans living in Colombia gathered in Bogotá to demand the release of political prisoners held in Venezuela following the disputed 2024 presidential election and subsequent unrest. Families displayed photos of detainees and criticized slow progress in the release process announced after a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The Venezuelan government denies holding political prisoners, while civil organization Foro Penal reported 139 releases out of more than 800 detainees. Relatives of prisoners and student leaders also protested in Caracas, calling for faster action and greater transparency.

Over a thousand indigenous people have set up camp in Bogotá's Plaza de Bolívar, demanding President Gustavo Petro address basic needs in their conflict-affected territories in southwestern Colombia. The protestors, who support Petro's government, seek fulfillment of agreements related to education, land rights, and social investment. They highlight the impact of illegal armed groups in their regions and express dissatisfaction with internal conflicts among indigenous organizations. The government is engaging with the communities to address their concerns.

Thousands of Colombian women, including Ana and Angie Hernandez, are imprisoned for drug trafficking as a means to escape poverty. Within the overcrowded Reclusion de Mujeres de Bogota El Buen Pastor, these women share stories of hardship, with Angie recounting how her children often go without food. The article underscores the severe impact of Colombia's war on drugs on low-income women, highlighting systemic issues within the prison system.

Indigenous people from Bogota are performing rituals at the base of a mountain to invoke the end of forest fires that have been raging for four days amid record temperatures.

In the remote Colombian Amazon region of Pira Parana, indigenous community members have taken legal action against a carbon credit project. The initiative, part of the REDD+ program, allows companies to buy carbon credits from environmental projects to offset their emissions. However, the project has faced significant criticism and controversy, with scientific studies and investigative reports questioning its effectiveness and impact on local communities.

Decenas de miles de manifestantes en Colombia protestan contra el gobierno y los abusos policiales, en medio de una crisis social exacerbada por la pandemia. Las protestas, que han durado 14 días, han resultado en 42 muertes y múltiples abusos policiales documentados. El presidente Iván Duque enfrenta una presión popular sin precedentes y ha iniciado negociaciones con los manifestantes, aunque sin éxito hasta ahora. La comunidad internacional, liderada por Estados Unidos, ha pedido moderación a la fuerza pública. Las protestas continúan exigiendo un país más equitativo y un Estado más solidario.

Circo Encuentro, a group of artists known for their unicycle performances and acrobatics, visits various neighborhoods in Bogotá every weekend to break the monotony and confinement caused by the pandemic. In addition to the entertainment they provide, they also cook a communal soup to offer to local residents.

Colombia is expected to reach the peak of COVID-19 infections by mid-August, according to health authorities. Diana Castrillón visited one of the country's largest intensive care units, where 80% of the beds and mechanical ventilators are occupied.