Ingrid Betancourt recounts Farc kidnapping

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Ingrid Betancourt, who describes her time as a hostage in the Colombian jungle and comments on the challenges facing Colombia today. (Photo:Fabio Gismondi) Download MP3
>>Audio Extras: Hear more of our conversation with Ingrid Betancourt

Colombian senator “collaborated” with FARC

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Colombian senator and peace activist Piedad Cordoba has been banned from public office for 18 years for “collaborating” with the FARC rebels. Senator Cordoba helped negotiate the release of several FARC hostages but is now accused of exceeding her role as a mediator by giving the rebels political advice. From Bogota, John Otis reports. (Photo:Ricardo Bello) Download MP3
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Colombian FARC leader killed

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One of the most senior leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has been killed, say reports. Jorge Briceno, also known as Mono Jojoy, died in an air strike in the Macarena region, local media said. President Jose Manuel Santos said Jojoy’s death was “the hardest blow” in the history of the rebel movement, but as John Otis reports from southern Colombia, even a weakened FARC is likely to plague parts of the country. Download MP3

Colombia’s oil boom

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Civil war slowed the development of Colombia’s oil industry. Now Colombia’s oil is flowing again. The government has secured the oil fields, with US help, and encouraged private companies to drill. In just three years, oil production has increased tenfold. John Otis reports. Download MP3

• Colombian guerrilla hails from Netherlands

Hunting Colombian guerillas

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Law of the Jungle: The Hunt for Colombian Guerillas tells the tale of how a group of Colombian soldiers on a mission to rescue hostages from FARC rebels stumbled upon a stash of buried cash. Marco Werman speaks with the book’s author, John Otis. Download MP3

• Book info
• Colombia country profile

Visiting Colombia’s national parks

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Despite the country’s dangerous reputation, the tourist business is booming in Colombia. The capital Bogotá and port city of Cartagena have both noted upticks in tourism. But some of the country’s most spectacular sights, like the Caño Cristales River (pictured), are located in former war zones and are still struggling to attract visitors. Later today, John Otis reports on efforts to improve the region’s image. Download MP3 (Photo: John Otis)

• Official Colombia tourism website
• National Parks in Colombia

Deserting from the FARC

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The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the country’s largest guerrilla group known as the FARC, is losing thousands of its fighters. They’re not dying…they’re giving up. Correspondent John Otis reports.

Father carries cross for FARC hostages

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The father of a Colombian soldier who has been held by the FARC rebel group for almost 12 years is carrying a cross through the country to remind people of those hostages still being held in the jungle. John Otis reports from Colombia