Latest news in Colombia? September 22nd, 2026

Major headlines and developments reported in Colombia around September 22, 2026:

• Villa de Leyva Wildfire Emergency: More than 400 emergency personnel, military units, and aerial firefighting helicopters are actively battling a severe wildfire on Cerro San Marcos, threatening the historic colonial town of Villa de Leyva in the Boyacá department. The blaze has scorched nearly 300 hectares of high-altitude Andean and páramo ecosystems and destroyed the local Arcoiris Hotel (with staff and guests safely evacuated). Authorities reported dozens of active wildfires across the country amid extreme dry conditions.

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• Security Operations Against Illegal Armed Groups: Security forces dealt a major blow to the criminal group Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada with the neutralisation of alias “Cholo,” identified as the second-in-command of the organisation.

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• Seismic Activity: The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) monitored a series of tremors, including a magnitude 4.0 earthquake centered in Chaparral, Tolima, which was felt across Cali, Ibagué, and parts of central and western Colombia.

• Environmental and Crop Eradication Debates: Human rights and environmental organisations raised concerns before the UN Human Rights Council regarding national policies surrounding the resumption of chemical crop spraying programs, debating the environmental and health impacts of herbicide alternatives in rural zones.