Selected work
Julia's Reuters author page.
The disappeared · Reuters
Back to top- Rionegro
As Colombia slowly identifies conflict victims, families left waiting
Roselly Gil watched as authorities carefully removed the blackened bones from the rotting wooden coffin, stored for decades in a cemetery in Rionegro, Colombia. They were, she hoped, the remains of her younger brother.
- Palmira
Former Colombian rebels and soldiers work together to exhume remains, give families closure
For nearly a year the ex-rebels worked shoulder to shoulder with their former enemies - retired soldiers from the Colombian military - in a place that viscerally expresses the toll of Colombia's six decades of conflict: a cemetery.
- Bogotá
Colombia's cemeteries may hold answers for families of disappeared
Thousands of disappeared people were likely buried in unmarked graves during the conflict. Forensic teams are going back for them.
- Sogamoso
Glimmers of hope for families of Colombia's missing
Margarita Lucia Fonnegra did not flinch when the needle pricked her finger. Others had needed reassurance from the forensic technician but the 71-year-old Colombian grandmother was ready.
- Bogotá
Colombia, rebels reach deal to search for thousands missing in war
The Colombian government and leftist FARC rebels have agreed to two measures they say will help find tens of thousands of people who have disappeared during 50 years of war, as the two sides take the final steps toward a peace deal.
- Bogotá
As peace talks advance, Colombia struggles to find its missing
Swinging a pickaxe high above his head, the sweating former Marxist guerrilla brings it down sharply, breaking up hard-packed earth on a wooded hillside in central Colombia. "I know the grave was here," says the ex-combatant, Andres Martinez, wiping his brow as a forensic expert starts in with a shovel near the rural town of Chaguani.
The Andes · Reuters
Back to top- Cali
A tale of two buildings: how quake rescue efforts differed in Colombia and Venezuela
At a flattened apartment block known as Los Cocos in northern Venezuela, civilians toiled with little support to pull the living and the dead from the rubble. In neighboring Colombia, when residential towers in Cali collapsed, officials poured in to help. Reported with Sarah Morland.
- Cali
Hundreds still missing in Colombia as desperation grips earthquake rescue effort
Hopes of finding more survivors of the powerful earthquake that rocked Colombia early this week were fading on Thursday as rescue workers narrowed their searches, while families in the worst-hit areas waited for news of missing relatives. Reported with Nelson Bocanegra.
- Bogotá
De La Espriella to take office as Colombia president on pledges of security crackdown
President Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in on Friday, using his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking.
Reuters story, as carried by google.com
- Caracas
Venezuela’s Rodriguez defends earthquake response after days of criticism
Delcy Rodriguez’s first press conference since taking power, as civilians led the response to quakes that killed 2,595 people. Reported with Mayela Armas and Alberto Fajardo.
- La Guaira
After Venezuela quakes, citizens lead rescues amid military theft accusations
Volunteers dug for survivors with their hands while videos showed security officials picking through the ruins.
- La Guaira
Hopes of finding more survivors of Venezuela earthquakes fade
Six days after the twin quakes, with the death toll past 2,000 and tens of thousands still listed as missing.
- InterviewCaracas
Venezuela’s attorney general hopes amnesty law will lead to a ‘pacified’ country
An interview with Tarek Saab on the amnesty law in the months after Maduro’s ouster.
- InvestigationBogotá
How Venezuela’s Nobel Prize winner built a high-stakes alliance with Trump
More than 50 sources on how María Corina Machado’s team helped the Trump administration build its case against Maduro, and what the gamble could cost. Reported with Sarah Kinosian.
- InterviewCaracas
Venezuela has no political prisoners, election should be peaceful, AG says
An interview with Attorney General Tarek Saab days before the vote, as rights groups counted nearly 290 political detainees. Reported with Vivian Sequera.
- Quito
Business heir Noboa leading polls ahead of Ecuador vote
A 35-year-old banana heir leads the field.
Reuters story, as carried by KFGO
- Bogotá
Exclusive: At least 40% of Colombia's ELN rebels seen rejecting peace deal
Security sources put the share of ELN fighters who would walk away from any accord at 40% or more. Cited by the U.S. Congressional Research Service.
Reuters story, as carried by U.S. News
- Quito
Supporters mourn assassinated Ecuador candidate Villavicencio, suspects charged
From Quito, eleven days before the vote. Reported with Alexandra Valencia.
Reuters story, as carried by The Globe and Mail
- Bogotá
Former rebel Petro takes office in Colombia promising peace and equality
The former M-19 guerrilla became Colombia's first leftist president.
Reuters story, as carried by Yahoo News
- Buriticá
Gold diggers: illegal mining near Colombian town hits Zijin output
Informal miners tunnelled into a Chinese-owned gold mine.
On air · Reuters World News podcast
Back to top- PodcastBogotá
Colombia earthquake: the rescue in Cali and the response across the border
Live from Bogotá on the magnitude 7.4 earthquake and why the rescue looked so different in Colombia and Venezuela.
Earlier work
Back to top- The New York TimesBogotá
Colombia peace deal is defeated, leaving a nation in shock
The night the referendum failed. Reported with Nicholas Casey.
- ViceBogotá
How US-style abortion protests are now threatening women's health in Colombia
The 40 Days for Life movement arrives outside Colombia's clinics, and women stop coming.
- The Washington PostLa Esperanza
An end to Colombia's war seems close, except in rebel territory
A village under FARC control as the peace talks neared their end. Reported with Joshua Partlow.
- The Washington PostMuzo
The dangerous search for emeralds in Colombia
Inside the emerald mines of Boyacá. Reported with Joshua Partlow.