Colombia

October 26, 2018, 12:28 pm

Israeli sailor said to be indicted in Colombia for smuggling 234 kgs of cocaine

Lawyer for Roy Erez believes the courts will conclude his client was deceived by criminals

By TOI staff

Jose Pekerman coaches Colombia in a match against England at the FIFA World Cup at Spartak Stadium in Russia, July 3, 2018. (Alex Morton/Getty Images via JTA)

September 6, 2018, 9:25 am

Colombian national soccer team coach Jose Pekerman steps down

The 69-year-old, who brought Colombia back to prominence in the soccer world, was the only Jewish coach or player at the 2018 World Cup

By JTA

Colombia's outgoing president Juan Manuel Santos, center, welcoming newly sworn-in President Ivan Duque at the presidential palace, after his inauguration ceremony in Bogota, Colombia, August 7, 2018. (Colombia's presidential press office/ via AP)

September 3, 2018, 10:01 pm

New Colombian president: Palestine recognition ‘irreversible’

Ivan Duque says he would have liked more discussion of the matter, but won’t overturn predecessor’s lame-duck decision

By Raphael Ahren

August 26, 2018, 1:32 pm

Israeli sailor held in Colombia accused of smuggling 234 kilograms of cocaine

Israel’s consul speaks to Roy Erez, who claims he was forced by pirates to transport a man he didn’t know on board his ship

By Michael Bachner

August 22, 2018, 3:58 pm

Israeli yachtsman said held by Colombian navy after encounter with pirates

Roy Erez, sailing to Jamaica, was forced at gunpoint by crew of local fishing boat to take on unknown passenger; vessel later boarded by soldiers, redirected to Colombia

By Stuart Winer

A picture taken on August 9, 2018, shows people inspecting the rubble of a building targeted by the Israeli Air Force in response to a rocket attack that hit southern Israel earlier in the day on August 9, 2018. (AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams)

August 10, 2018, 11:54 am

Fight, truce, repeat: 10 things to know for August 10

Another ceasefire after a day of fighting; some are fed up, but there’s little agreement over whether the answer lies with guns or pens

By Joshua Davidovich

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (C) with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas during an official welcoming ceremony in Ramallah, June 4, 2013. (Issam Rimawi/Flash90)

August 10, 2018, 1:07 am

The muy curioso tale of Colombia’s shock recognition of Palestine

A day after Netanyahu cancels Bogota trip, outgoing president Santos secretly recognizes Palestine; Why? And will the new government reverse his decision?

By Raphael Ahren

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at a press conference in Jerusalem on June 11, 2013. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool/Flash90)

August 9, 2018, 7:56 pm

Israel ‘surprised’ by Colombian recognition of Palestinian state

Foreign Ministry says it is waiting for the new government in Bogota to explain move by ex-president during his last days in office

By Raphael Ahren and Agencies

August 9, 2018, 2:56 am

Colombia recognizes Palestine as a sovereign state

Foreign Ministry announces former president Juan Manuel Santos made decision day after Netanyahu canceled trip to the country

By Agencies and TOI staff

Screen capture from video showing alleged crime lord Assi Ben-Mosh, right, on a flight after being expelled from Columbia. (Screen capture: YouTube)

August 5, 2018, 10:34 pm

Colombia issues warrant for Israeli kingpin after arrest of sex ring suspects

Assi Ben-Mosh suspected of involvement with child trafficking ring, where over 250 girls aged 14-17 were forced to have sex with locals and tourists

By TOI staff

United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov speaks at a press conference during a visit to the Gaza Strip on July 15, 2018. (Wissam Nassar/Flash90)

August 2, 2018, 5:46 pm

Security cabinet to meet Sunday as Gaza ceasefire deal takes shape

Ministers to meet on plan by UN peace envoy, which aims for end to Palestinian airborne arson attacks and border violence, in return for Israel reopening border crossing to goods

By TOI staff

From right, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Brig. Gen. Eliezer Toledano and head of the Shin Bet Nadav Argaman speak during a visit to the IDF's Gaza Division on July 17, 2018, amid an increase in violence from the Gaza Strip. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

August 2, 2018, 1:17 pm

PM scraps upcoming Colombia trip, citing volatile situation in the south

Netanyahu had planned to attend inauguration of new pro-Israel president Iván Duque and meet other regional leaders

By Raphael Ahren

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, during his welcoming ceremony at Narino presidential palace in Bogota, on September 13, 2017. (AFP/Raul Arboleda)

July 30, 2018, 11:09 am

Netanyahu heads to Colombia next week for 2nd trip in less than a year

PM to attend inauguration of new president Iván Duque, who has said he’s open to moving country’s embassy to Jerusalem, and meet other regional leaders

By Raphael Ahren

Newly elected Colombian president Ivan Duque celebrates with supporters in Bogota, after winning the presidential runoff election on June 17, 2018. (AFP/ Raul Arboleda)

June 18, 2018, 5:23 am

New Colombian president open to moving embassy to Jerusalem

Ivan Duque, who said he wanted to have the best possible ties with Israel, defeats leftist challenger, though some see seeds of political shift for conservative country

By Joshua Davidovich, Raphael Ahren and Agencies

A graffiti referring to the FARC 36 front is seen on a billboard of the Ituango Dam, close to Ituango municipality, Antioquia Department, Colombia, taken on May 12, 2018. (AFP/ Joaquin SARMIENTO)

May 25, 2018, 4:04 am

Guide who helped free Israelis from Colombian kidnappers found dead

Argentine Berenice Blanco convinced FARC rebels to let backpackers on cannabis tour go free, but was kept behind for ransom

By AFP and TOI staff