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Artwork for Colombia Calling

Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

Richard McColl
Colombia
Gustavo Petro
Venezuela
Boyacá
Tourism
Latin America
Colombia Risk Analysis
Segovia
Organized Crime
Peace Process
Cartagena
Gaitanistas
Gringo Tuesdays
Cali
Sustainable Tourism
Illegal Mining
Cundinamarca
Insight Crime
Colombian Presidential Elections
Chile

Colombia Calling is your first stop for everything you ever wanted to know about Colombia. Colombia Calling is hosted by Anglo Canadian transplant to Colombia, Richard McColl and the Colombia Briefing is reported by journalist Emily Hart. Tune in for politics, news, reviews, travel and culture stories, all related to Colombia.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes101Founded13 years ago
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NewsNews CommentaryPlaces & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Colombia Calling

Latest Episodes

On this week's episode, Richard McColl of Colombia Calling and Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports dissect the results of Colombia's first round of presidential elections, so you don't have to! How and why did the far-right "outsider" Aberlardo de la ... more

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, social entrepreneur Francis Gillis shares his journey from the medical cannabis industry in Canada to establishing a premium cigar brand in Colombia. Discover the nuances of Colombian tobacco, the craf... more

Join us as we explore the critical state of Colombia's tropical dry forests with researcher Maria Isabel Arce Plata. Discover the ecosystem's unique characteristics, the threats it faces from deforestation, climate change, and human activity, and the... more

This episode of the Colombia Calling podcast explores the complex relationship between Canadian mining interests and Colombia's post-conflict landscape, highlighting historical conflicts, foreign influence, and human rights issues. We speak to Lital ... more

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Recent Guests

Maria Isabel Arce Plata
Academic investigator studying biodiversity, tropical dry forests
University of Montreal
Episode: 614: The Delicate Ecosystem of Colombia's Dry Forests
Lital Khaikin
Freelance journalist and writer based in Montreal; focuses on mining, environment, conflict and human rights
Freelance journalist
Episode: 613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Boris Spiwak
CEO and Co-founder of Qash (Cache.ai/qash.ai)
Qash (Cache)
Episode: 612: Revolutionising Latin America's Fintech: The Qash Story
John Blashford-Snell
Colonel, former British Army officer, explorer and author; founder of Operation Raleigh and the Scientific Exploration Society
Scientific Exploration Society; Operation Raleigh
Episode: 611: A Conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, explorer and author
Sergio Guzmán
Director of Colombia Risk Analysis
Colombia Risk Analysis
Episode: 608: Colombia's 2026 Election: Looking at the Polls
Dr. Paul McAleer
Academic focusing on Waiu/Wayuu culture and language
University of Yorkshire (UK) / independent researcher
Episode: 606: Unveiling the Wayuu Culture: Language, Traditions, and Modern Challenges
Mae Star
Guest on the episode, traveler who homeschools on the road
Travel family
Episode: 604: Traveling to Colombia with Kids: A Family's Adventure
Adriaan Alsema
Director of Colombia Reports, investigative journalist specializing in drug cartels and organized crime in Colombia
Colombia Reports
Episode: 603: The War on Drugs: The Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico (Part 1)
Alex Diamond
Assistant Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University
Episode: 602: Governing the Excluded: Insights from Briceño, Colombia

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 169 ratings
  • Exemplary podcasting

    Going from strength to strength, the team behind Colombia Calling should be proud of the immense legacy this incredibly long-running English language series has achieved thus far. As a Briton partnered with a Boyacense, it has kept me tethered to current Colombian affairs, culture, political, societal matters, history, and so much more to do with this most wondrous land. No stone left unturned! Will continue to listen and support for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cartier 4 Everyone
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • A great, informative listen

    As a Brit born to a Colombian mother, I love listening to all regarding this most wonderful of countries that I love and yearn for. It’s great to hear through the perspectives of ex pats who give an unbiased and unadulterated view that I find difficult to get from Colombian’s who are understandably defensive of their nation and dare I say it, a bit prejudiced at times. Really well presented, great range of guests

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emvpr
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Libertas

    Amazing interview with Libertas International. Those guys are from my home state!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wyoming-cowboy
    United States2 years ago
  • Topical and informative

    Every week something to keep you up to date and really informative local news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Challengedbybanks
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Medellin episode

    I was REALLY looking forward to the episode on Medellín but this dude couldn’t even pronounce the name of the city correctly and it absolutely drove me MAD the entire time.

    If you’re going to put yourself forward as an “expert” on Colombia, at least take the time to learn how to pronounce the names of its cities correctly.

    SERIOUSLY. 😤 its Medellín not whatever the hell he was saying

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bratstone
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate balanced, on-the-ground reporting with a focus on Colombia's socio-political realities.
Listeners praise diverse, expert guests and in-depth coverage of current affairs.
Fans value the host's curiosity and ability to connect policy with practical travel and culture.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Q: What is happening now in May 2026, especially with the Colombian elections and the energy transition?
The discussion centers on the political shift toward center options, debates about security guarantees for communities, and the tension between Petro's environmental commitments and ongoing extractive expansion, including how private Canadian interests fit into the transition plan and regional development in Putumayo.
613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Q: What can be done from Canada to improve accountability and awareness of these issues?
She describes mechanisms like CORE and the Voices at Risk guidelines, notes their limitations (e.g., CORE's lack of enforcement and vacancies in leadership), and calls for stronger action by diplomats, independent oversight, and better media coverage to highlight abuses and ensure accountability for Canadian corporate actors abroad.
613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Q: Can you give us a little bit of background of the interests here?
Lital outlines the roots of conflict in Colombia and explains how the current critical minerals push intersects with a history of foreign investment and extractivism, particularly focusing on Canadian actors and the role of policy reforms that opened land for mining while weakening protections.
611: A Conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, explorer and author
Q: How did you manage the human and logistical challenges when the vehicles got stuck and equipment failed?
We improvised with a mix of military logistics, using a smaller light vehicle (Hillbilly), enlisting a dedicated Royal Engineers team, recruiting local Panamanian ponies for supply transport, and eventually employing a second-hand Land Rover to carve a path ahead, with airlifted parts and spare axles parachuted in as needed.
611: A Conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, explorer and author
Q: What motivated you to undertake such a monumental crossing through the Darien Gap?
The motivation came from a long-standing interest in connecting the Alaska-to-Cape Horn concept with a realistic push for a Pan-American Highway, plus the chance to test logistics, technology (Range Rovers), and teamwork in one of the world's most challenging jungles, all while engaging scientific and local communities to preserve rather than exploit the environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Colombia Calling

What is Colombia Calling about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Colombia-focused discourse blends political analysis, travel, culture, and current events with a strong emphasis on local voices, governance, and on-the-ground storytelling. Episodes frequently feature policy discussion, political dynamics, investigative journalism, and practical travel insight, often highlighting regional developments, post-conflict realities, and economic topics like mining, fintech, and tourism. A standout aspect is the consistency of high-profile guests across politics, journalism, academia, and travel, plus a clear inclination toward nuanced, locally grounded reporting from Bogotá and other regions. This mix makes it valuable for listeners seeking informed, English-language perspectives on Colombia and for potential gu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Colombia Calling?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Colombia Calling:

1. Freakonomics Radio
2. The LatinNews Podcast
3. Revisionist History
4. Political Gabfest
5. The Americas Quarterly Podcast

How many episodes of Colombia Calling are there?

Colombia Calling launched 13 years ago and published 101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Colombia Calling?

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What guests have appeared on Colombia Calling?

Recent guests on Colombia Calling include:

1. Maria Isabel Arce Plata
2. Lital Khaikin
3. Boris Spiwak
4. John Blashford-Snell
5. Sergio Guzmán
6. Dr. Paul McAleer
7. Mae Star
8. Adriaan Alsema

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