Journalists in Colombia fear a return to right-wing persecution

Journalists in Colombia fear a return to right-wing persecution

Author: Joshua Collins May 26, 2026 Duration: 18:45

Colombia holds elections Sunday May 31. Ultra-right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has a history of supporting paramilitary forces as well as legal intimidation of journalists who do not give him flattering coverage.

Adriaan Anselma, executive editor of Colombia Reports, believes that the emerging front-runner for the right doesn’t want to only apply “iron fist” tactics against crime, he wants to crack down on dissent as well.

The veteran reporter says that the emerging populist, who is an open admirer of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, represents a return to “criminalizing opposition in the name of security concerns.”

He isn’t alone. Many journalists in the country have criticized the candidate as a would-be strongman who represents a return to some of the darkest days of Colombian politics, when right-wing death squads eradicated entire leftist parties, even assassinating the father of current leftist front runner Ivan Cepeda.

Meanwhile, after a contentious campaign of infighting, right-wing political machinery has finally consolidated behind Abelardo: including some of the most corrupt clans in the country.

Although he claims that Cepeda will make Colombia “the next Venezuela,” it isde la Espriella’s platform that threatens democratic rule.

You can hear more in this week’s episode of Pirate Wire Radio.



Get full access to Pirate Wire Services at www.piratewireservices.com/subscribe

Hosted by Joshua Collins, Pirate Wire Radio delivers original journalism focused on the complex realities of Latin America. This isn't a surface-level recap of headlines; it's a deep, narrative-driven exploration of the forces shaping the region. Each episode moves beyond the news cycle to connect political shifts and economic currents with the deeply human stories unfolding on the ground. You'll hear about crime, the drug trade, cultural movements, and societal changes, all presented through rigorous reporting and firsthand perspectives. The podcast aims to provide context often missing from mainstream coverage, weaving together analysis of current events with documentary-style storytelling. For anyone seeking to understand the true texture of life and power across Latin America, from boardrooms and government palaces to street corners and rural communities, this show offers an essential, unvarnished listen. Tune in for a compelling and nuanced portrait of a dynamic part of the world, delivered directly through your preferred podcast app.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 29

Pirate Wire Radio
Podcast Episodes
Mining in LATAM: Is it even possible to do ethically? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:26
With the US about to enter a mining sector in Venezuela dominated by criminal armed groups, and in the heart of the Amazon Rain Forest, many experts are focused on profits.But mining in Latin America has long been fraugh…
The US wants you to know they're coming after Petro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:34
The US Drug Enforcement Agency leaked ongoing investigations into Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the press this week alleging ties to drug trafficking in the country. The accusations come two months before Presiden…
Borders are meant to kill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:45
As the United States grapples with a surge of authoritarianism under Donald Trump, much of Europe is putting up new barriers to migrants. The two issues, xenophobia and rising autocracy, are deeply related. Our modern bo…
The borderland cocaine wars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
With US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying the US will resume attacks on Venezuela if the government doesn’t cooperate with US security concerns. Chief among those concerns are Colombian armed groups who smuggle coca…
MAS faces an existential threat in upcoming Bolivian elections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:28
Paid subscribers get early access to the Pirate Wire Radio podcast series! This episode will become available to all subscribers in five days.Bolivia’s left-wing indigenous-led party, MAS, has governed Bolivia for almost…
Colombia's Dirty War Against Civil Society [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:17
The attack on Colombia’s Palace of Justice resulted in one of the country’s most famous massacres. For decades, the public largely believed government claims that it was M-19 Guerillas who killed hostages and nearly half…