COOwnership & classification
Founded: 1911
Ownership
El Tiempo, Colombia's largest-circulation daily, was founded on 30 January 1911 by Alfonso Villegas Restrepo and was long associated with the Liberal Santos family (which produced two presidents). Its publisher, Casa Editorial El Tiempo, passed in 2007 to Spain's Grupo Planeta, which then sold its 55% stake in 2012 to billionaire Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo, chairman of the Grupo Aval banking conglomerate. Sarmiento subsequently bought out the remaining minority holders (including the Santos family) to become effectively the sole owner.
Funding
It is funded commercially through advertising, print circulation and digital subscriptions, backed by the financial resources of Sarmiento's Grupo Aval. There is no state funding or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
Once a Liberal-Party organ, it now reflects the centrist-to-center-right outlook of its owner, Colombia's richest banker. Because it is privately owned by a business magnate with no party or state control, it is classified as INDEPENDENT, though critics note the concentration of media in the hands of a single financial-group owner; lean is center-right.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 460
83/100
Factual
79/100
Objective
574
Articles
574
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
I'm not leaving here: journalist chained herself in Cali medical center to demand surgery for her husband after 7 months of waiting
A journalist named María del Pilar Aguilar, known as Mapi Aguilar, protested outside the Universidad del Valle Hospital (HUV) in Cali by chaining herself to its entrance to demand a surgery date for her husband after seven months of waiting. The incident was captured on video and widely shared on social media and local outlets like SuperNoticias. Aguilar explained that her husband, who has thyroid cancer and recently underwent open-heart surgery, had been awaiting his next procedure since March. The initial medical order from EPS SOS expired, forcing them to restart paperwork in July. She claimed the hospital delayed the process and that they had to purchase a costly medication privately. Following public pressure, the hospital confirmed her husband’s admission and began protocols for his treatment.
Shocking video captured a driver who lost control of his vehicle and fell down a slope in Manizales: he crashed into a house
A driver lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a house after falling down a slope in Manizales. The incident was captured on security cameras and shared on social media.
Colombian passenger who was ejected from a Delta flight between Bogotá and the United States spoke after the airline's response: he received a reward
A Colombian passenger who was expelled from a Delta Airlines flight between Bogotá and the United States spoke after the airline's response. The passenger criticized the lack of clear explanations following his rebooking the next day due to a disagreement over his seat assignment. The incident highlights communication issues between passengers and airlines during travel disruptions.
The criminal plot behind the murder of a young woman incinerated in a pipe in Cali
Authorities are examining various hypotheses surrounding the death of María Isabel Acevedo Vallejo, who was found in a busy area of the capital of the Valle. The incident has raised questions about whether it was a common crime or retaliation between gangs. The circumstances of her death, including the method used, suggest a possible connection to organized criminal activity.
District issued warning about hailstorms in Bogotá: We have to be prepared
The article reports on the effects of a recent storm in Bogotá, Colombia, which brought heavy rainfall and hail, particularly impacting the central-western areas including Kennedy, Engativá, and parts of Suba. Guillermo Escobar, director of the District Institute for Risk Management and Climate Change (IDIGER), provided an official report detailing the damage caused by the weather event. He explained that high temperatures and humidity contributed to the extreme conditions, which could continue through October and November. The report highlights fallen trees, flooded roads, and structural damages to homes and businesses. Authorities have issued urgent recommendations for residents to clean water access points and prepare for potential future storms.
Miguel Quintero defends himself through social networks in case of millionaire appropriation of resources: 'It is a political persecution in another's body'
Miguel Quintero, an ex-council member under investigation, defended himself on social media regarding allegations of misappropriating millions in resources. He claimed the case against him is a form of political persecution using his image. This statement was made during his second day of house arrest while the prosecution appealed the measure. The situation highlights ongoing legal and political tensions involving Quintero.
Woman ended up with her vehicle inside a pool in Valledupar: the accident was recorded on the security cameras of the residential complex
A woman ended up inside her vehicle within a pool at a residential complex in Valledupar, Colombia. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, October 5th, and did not result in any injuries. The event was captured by the security cameras of the residential complex.
Nine Venezuelans were expelled from the country with antecedents and intelligence reports in Medellín: there is a convict for kidnapping in the United States
The article reports that nine Venezuelans with criminal records and intelligence reports from Medellín were expelled from the country. This brings the total number of foreigners expelled from the Antioquian capital to 27 in recent weeks, according to authorities. The individuals expelled had prior convictions and were flagged by intelligence agencies. The expulsion appears to be part of broader efforts to remove foreign nationals with legal issues.
The nation supports the structuring of the Atlantic Green Hydrogen Hub: industry, ports and universities join forces
The article reports that the nation supports the structuring of the Green Hydrogen Hub in the Atlantic, with industry stakeholders, ports, and universities joining the initiative. The project aims to produce clean energy, ammonia, and fertilizers for both domestic and international markets.
Medellin councilor proposes to ban prostitution in public spaces of the city in the framework of the discussions of the POT update
A city council member from Medellín, Andrés Tobón of the movement 'Creemos,' has proposed a measure to ban sex work in public spaces within the city. The proposal comes amid ongoing discussions about updating the city’s General Urban Plan (POT). The initiative aims to address concerns related to public safety and urban order, though specific details on enforcement mechanisms or legal implications were not outlined in the report.
Farewell to the dangerous creek of 85th Street: Barranquilla begins to reopen the roads closed by the sewerage
The article reports that Barranquilla has begun reopening roads previously closed due to underground channeling work. Specifically, the intersection of Carrera 52 and Calle 85 is now reopened as part of these efforts. The corridor connects schools, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods, indicating the importance of the route for local communities.
The luxurious 'jail mansion' in which Miguel Quintero will be under house arrest for the case of appropriation of $2.841 million from the AMVA
Miguel Quintero, brother of former mayor of Medellín Daniel Quintero, was previously held at Bellavista prison last Saturday. The legal process related to his case involving the alleged misappropriation of $2.841 million from the AMVA continues today. The article highlights the ongoing judicial proceedings against him.
Explosive on the road linking Suárez with La Betulia, north of Cauca, caused serious damage to the road and left a huge crater
On Sunday, October 4, 2026, an explosive incident occurred along the road connecting Suárez to La Betulia in northern Cauca, causing significant damage to the highway and leaving a large crater. The event disrupted transportation in the area and raised concerns about safety and infrastructure integrity. Details regarding the cause of the explosion, whether accidental or intentional, and any casualties were not provided in the available information. Authorities are likely investigating the incident to determine its origin and assess the extent of the damage.