On 19 November, the Transatlantic Dialogue Center, in cooperation with the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation, hosted the online conference “Understanding Colombia: Political Challenges, Civil Society, and Global Alignments”. The session provided a structured overview of how Colombia’s internal political dynamics, the role of civil society and its external alignments are evolving, and what these processes may mean for Ukraine’s engagement with Latin America.
The speaker, Juan Carlos Rincón Escalante, Opinion Editor at El Espectador and a leading Colombian journalist, underscored that Colombia has long been a cultural referent in Latin America, projecting influence through its creative industries, media and public intellectual life. Diplomatically, the country maintains a strong presence in the Organization of American States (OAS), CELAC and other regional initiatives, though its external engagement remains dispersed across multiple priorities. Economically, Colombia’s GDP growth has been steady despite structural challenges.
A central theme of the discussion was civil society, which continues to play a decisive role in democratic accountability and public debate. Rincón also highlighted Colombia’s position as a global example in transitional justice, pointing to ongoing efforts to investigate past crimes, address human rights violations and search for missing persons. These initiatives, he argued, shape not only domestic political culture but also Colombia’s international identity. Reflecting on parallels with Ukraine, he noted: “We know what it is like to mourn your country”, adding that “our shared pain can bring us together”. The conversation also addressed why the so-called “Russian question” appears in Colombian discourse, ranging from concerns about foreign influence to debates within Latin American political movements, underscoring that understanding these perceptions is key for Ukraine’s broader engagement in the region.
Mire la charla completa a través del enlace.