General News

Medellin Citizens Annual Survey: Mayor Quintero Worst in 16 Years

Medellin Herald February 4, 2022

The just-released, annual “Medellin Como Vamos” (MCV) citizen survey reveals that Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero has delivered the worst performance of any Medellin Mayor in the entire 16 years of MCV annual citizen surveys. The result undercuts progress made in the last two decades here,

Other Norms

Controller-General Absolves Companies, Officials for 2018 Hidroituango Tunnel Collapse; EPM Reports More Progress

Medellin Herald January 28, 2022

Colombia’s Controller-General announced today (January 28) that because of recent insurance payments to EPM by Mapfre, Axxa, Suramericana and SBS – collectively totaling US$1.1 billion — all companies, politicians and officials who previously faced allegations of errors or omissions that supposedly contributed to a 2018 diversion-tunnel collapse at the US$5 billion

Health & Insurance.

Colombia Tops 70 Million Vaccinations Against Covid-19

Medellin Herald January 24, 2022

Colombia Health Minister Fernando Ruiz announced this morning (January 24) that total vaccinations against Covid-19 here have now surpassed 70 million. What’s more, as of January 22, 2022, 30.78 million Colombians had received complete dosages (in most cases two shots, or else the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine). In addition, 5.1 million Colombians have now […]

Editorial

To Save Hidroituango, Kill Medellin Mayor’s Scheme to Replace Contractors: Pöyry Study

Medellin Herald January 23, 2022

A stunning final report from Finland-based hydroelectric-project engineering consultant Pöyry finds that the current contractors building the US$5 billion Hidroituango hydroelectric project in Antioquia should continue to finish the project as quickly as possible, rather than be replaced. Contractor continuation is the safest and fastest route to avoid a possibly

Infrastructure

Repaving at Medellin’s International Airport Spells Closings February 19-20, 26-27; Second-Runway Expansion Talks Accelerating

Medellin Herald January 20, 2022

Airplan – the operator of Medellin’s José María Córdova (JMC) international airport in Rionegro – confirms that runway repaving will require a partial halt to flights at JMC on Saturday and Sunday February 19-20, then again on Saturday and Sunday February 26-27. The two weekend closures – each lasting 36 hours — start 2-am on […]

Companies

Enka Successfully Completes Financial Restructuring; Debts Now Almost Zero

Medellin Herald January 19, 2022

Medellin-based textiles and plastics-recycling specialist Enka de Colombia announced in a January 18 filing with Colombia’s Superfinanciera oversight agency that it has finally completed a financial restructuring that has satisfied its creditors and cut net debt to near-zero. The company has “successfully completed the restructuring agreement under Law 550 of 1999, after

Companies

Gilinski Bids for Nutresa, Sura Fall Short, but Board Seats Assured

Medellin Herald January 13, 2022

Colombian banker Jaime Gilinski’s JGDB Holdings and its financing partner Royal Group (Abu Dhabi) on January 12 reported to Bolsa de Valores de Colombia (BVC, Colombia’s stock exchange) that it has finally acquired more than 27% of the shares of Medellin-based multinational foods giant Grupo Nutresa – far short of its 50.1% to 62% goal. […]

Other Norms

Medellin Debuts New ‘Pico-y-Placa’ Driving Restrictions Starting January 17

Medellin Herald January 13, 2022

Medellin officially confirmed today (January 13) that it will switch to a two-digit “pico y placa” driving restriction scheme – from 5 am to 8 pm daily — starting Monday, January 17, initially for a “pedagogic” period, until January 31. Cars with plate numbers ending in 6 or 9 are restricted starting Monday, switching to […]

Editorial

Medellin Mayor Quintero Claims City’s Leading Businesses Are Mafia Gangsters

Medellin Herald January 10, 2022

Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero claimed in a shocking interview for the January 8 edition of Colombia’s leading weekly Semana news-magazine that Medellin’s leading businesses are in fact run by mafia gangsters who supposedly are out to “get” him. Facing a recall petition for mismanaging the city, for publicly slandering its most successful and civic-minded companies, […]

Companies

Medellin Mayor Quintero Claims City’s Leading Businesses Are Mafia Gangsters

Medellin Herald January 10, 2022

Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero claimed in a shocking interview for the January 8 edition of Colombia’s leading weekly Semana news-magazine that Medellin’s leading businesses are in fact run by mafia gangsters who supposedly are out to “get” him. Facing a recall petition for mismanaging the city, for publicly slandering its most successful and civic-minded