Ana Carrigan is author of The Palace of Justice: A Colombian Tragedy (Four Walls Eight Windows). Her reports from Colombia have appeared in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, The Nation, the Irish Times, In These Times and the Guardian Online. She is currently writing a book of Colombian memoirs.

Recent articles

The struggle of Colombia's Farc guerrillas has lasted more than four decades. But the pressures the movement is now facing - symbolised by the death of its legendary co-founder Manuel Marulanda - present the Farc with a historic choice, says Ana Carrigan.

(This article was first published on 16 June 2008)

"Those who work for peace in Colombia know from bitter experience that the most hopeful moments are always the most dangerous." Ana Carrigan investigates the delicate interplay of military force and diplomatic negotiation in Colombia's hostage politics, and the murky circumstances of the Río Cajambre incident which may have destroyed the chance of a breakthrough in ending the country's long war.

The legislative elections in Colombia on 12 March have fuelled Álvaro Uribe Vélez's confidence for the presidential poll on 28 May. Not so fast, says Ana Carrigan.

Latin America is swinging to the left - but structural violence and civic fear may prevent Colombia from following the trend, says Ana Carrigan.