General News

Update: Medellin ‘Donaton’ Aids Coronavirus Victims; President Frees Food/Groceries Home Deliveries from Hours Restrictions

Medellin Herald April 12, 2020

Utilities giant EPM and the Mayor of Medellin on April 12 generated more than COP$13 billion (US$3.4 million) worth of private donations – both in cash and also in food — through a televised “Donaton por Medellin” campaign, aiming to help Coronavirus victims and especially poor families.

Health & Insurance.

Medellin Consortium Getting Close to Production of Coronavirus Ventilators; Liquor Manufacturer Now Supplying Disinfectant Alcohol

Medellin Herald April 11, 2020

Three prototypes of mechanical ventilators being developed for Coronavirus victims by metro-Medellin-based Sampedro Medical Industries, the University of Antioquia and the EIA University are now set to move to human trials following successful tests at CES University School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry here. The development teams are now preparing for tests

General News

EPM Utilities Function Normally Despite Coronavirus Crisis; Hidroituango Moving Forward

Medellin Herald April 10, 2020

Medellin-based multinational utilities giant EPM announced April 8 that it continues work on its US$5 billion, 2.4-gigawatt “Hidroituango” hydroelectric dam in Antioquia despite the Cornavirus crisis that forced quarantines on most commercial and industrial operations. “The works currently being carried out in the [Hidroituango] project are among the 34 exceptions

Banking & Financial Services

IMF Gives Nod to US$10 Billion Loans for Coronavirus Crisis; Small-Medium Businesses Get Payroll Help

Medellin Herald April 10, 2020

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced April 9 that its executive board will recommend approval of a US$10.8 billion line-of-credit request to help Colombian businesses and workers weather the economic downturn caused by the Coronavirus crisis. “This renewable credit line helps safeguard against external shocks by providing countries who have very strong policy

Companies

Éxito Producing 2 Million Coronavirus Masks Every Week; Heading to Stores Soon

Medellin Herald April 8, 2020

Medellin-based Grupo Exito announced April 7 that it’s accelerating mass production of special masks to protect against Coronavirus infections – and plans to sell the masks at its Exito, Carulla, Surtimax, SuperInter and Surtimayorista stores throughout Colombia. “Today more than 3,000 people are dedicated to making face masks in the workshops where the clothes of […]

Other Norms

Coronavirus Quarantine to Continue Until April 27: Colombia President

Medellin Herald April 7, 2020

Colombia President Ivan Duque announced last night (April 6) that the current Coronavirus general quarantine – initially due to expire April 13 – instead will continue for another two weeks, until April 27. What’s more, persons 70 years and older will continue to remain in quarantine until May 30, while school-age pupils of all levels […]

Other Norms

Colombia President to Define Post-April-13 Quarantine Measures This Week; Mask Mandate Now National

Medellin Herald April 5, 2020

Colombia President Ivan Duque announced April 4 that his administration likely will decide early this week whether and how strict the current national Coronavirus quarantine will extend beyond the presumptive April 13 expiration. “We are working with scientists, epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists within the team of the Ministry of Health and the National

Companies

Isagen Full-Year 2019 Net Income Rises 9% Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald April 4, 2020

Medellin-based electric power generation giant Isagen revealed in an April 2 filing with Colombia’s Superfinanciera corporate oversight agency that its full-year 2019 net income rose 9% year-on-year, to COP$495 billion (US$123 million). However, fourth-quarter (4Q) 2019 net income dropped 62% year-on-year, to COP$144 billion (US$35.8 million), as lower rainfall in Colombia

General News

Medellin Adopts ‘Pico y Cedula’ for Grocery, Drugs, Banking Trips Starting April 2

Medellin Herald April 1, 2020

The Mayor of Medellin announced April 1 that to reduce Coronavirus threats, only persons with specific cedula numbers can venture out for groceries, drugs and banking – two days each week – starting the first minute after midnight April 2 until the national quarantine ends — presumptively on April 13. “Each person will have two […]

Companies

Fabricato Full-Year 2019 Financial Results Improve, but Still in Red

Medellin Herald March 31, 2020

Medellin-based textile giant Fabricato on March 30 announced that its full-year 2019 financial results improved 68% year-on-year — but still produced red ink. The net loss for 2019 was COP$10 billion (US$2.47 million), a big improvement over the 2018 net loss of COP$31.7 billion (US$7.8 million), according to the company. Gross revenues rose 3.8%, to […]