COOwnership & classification
Founded: 2009
Ownership
La Silla Vacía is a Colombian political news website founded in 2009 by journalist Juanita León, a Harvard Nieman Fellow, as one of Latin America's first native digital outlets. In 2024 León transferred her ownership shares to the non-profit La Silla Vacía Foundation, which now controls the outlet, a move made to entrench editorial independence and continuity beyond its founder.
Funding
It runs on a diversified non-profit model: grants from donors such as the Ford Foundation, Open Society, the National Endowment for Democracy, USAID, the World Bank, CAF and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung; reader memberships ('SuperAmigos'); fact-checking partnerships; courses and events; and limited advertising.
Affiliation & stance
It focuses on scrutinizing how political power is exercised in Colombia, with a center to center-left analytical stance, and has no ties to any party, the state or a business owner. Owned by a journalist-founded non-profit foundation and financed by membership and independent grants, it is classified as INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 539
77/100
Factual
70/100
Objective
552
Articles
545
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
The Book of Truth: corruption in the Petro government
The article discusses the findings of 'El Libro de la Verdad,' a report by the new Colombian government under President Gustavo Petro, which highlights significant financial mismanagement and corruption allegations. The report reveals serious issues with state finances, including a large deficit, poor execution of budgets, and lack of transparency. It notes that the national treasury had only $16 billion at the end of May 2026, far below historical levels, and projected just $7.1 billion by year-end. The audit by the Comptroller General found that the limit for issuing Treasury bills was increased from 50% to 100%, with placement rates reaching 13%-15%. This led to warnings of potential asset loss and referral to the Attorney General. The article also criticizes the Ministry of Environment for failing to execute most of its budget despite promoting environmental protection, highlighting a major inconsistency in Petro's administration.
Entrepreneurs agree with Abelardo to lower housing loan rates
President Abelardo de la Espriella met with several prominent Colombian businessmen, including Luis Carlos Sarmiento of Grupo Aval, Jaime and Gabriel Gilinski of Banco GNB Sudameris, Miguel Cortés of Grupo Bolívar (which includes Davivienda), and Juan Carlos Mora of Bancolombia, at an alternate presidential office in Barranquilla. During the meeting, these banking leaders agreed to reduce the effective annual interest rate on housing loans for earthquake victims to 8%, applicable throughout the loan term. The decision was previously announced by Bancolombia on social media, with President de la Espriella stating this aligns with his campaign promise that lower interest rates can improve access to credit for Colombians. Additionally, the group planned a joint visit to the Chocó department on September 7 to develop a recovery and transformation plan, emphasizing efforts to address historical neglect of certain regions.
The safety of your family is a priority: Rodrigo Lara to María Claudia Tarazona
The Colombian Minister of Interior, Rodrigo Lara, stated via X that the government has renewed the security plan for the family of Miguel Uribe Turbay, a presidential candidate from the Center Democratic Party who was assassinated last year. This came after María Claudia Tarazona, Uribe Turbay’s widow, expressed concerns on X that the current security arrangement for her family might be compromised by individuals linked to his murder. She claimed she had attempted to reach out through various channels but received no response. In response, Lara confirmed that the head of the National Police visited Tarazona to assess the situation and that Didier Blanco, director of the National Police (UNP), had since updated the security measures. Lara described the alleged infiltration of criminal elements into the UNP as 'very concerning.' The investigation into Uribe Turbay’s assassination, which points to the Second Marquetalia group, continues, with authorities having identified those involved in the execution, the organization hired, and the intermediaries and those who gave orders.
With 13 active fires, MinAmbiente orders to suspend controlled burning
The Colombian Ministry of Environment has temporarily suspended controlled open burns in rural areas nationwide due to ongoing wildfires across the country. The measure applies to burns used for agricultural soil preparation, mining activities, managing crop residues, and controlling frost effects. According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), there are currently 13 active fires and 10 controlled fires in various regions, with most concentrated in the Tolima department. Governor Adriana Matiz reported that at least 20,000 hectares have been affected, with some fires attributed to 'irresponsible burning.' The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) warned that El Niño conditions are strengthening, with a 69% chance of reaching 'very strong' intensity between October and December, which could lead to drier conditions and lower river flows. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture announced measures to address drought risks, including financial incentives for rural irrigation and special credit lines.
The priority is educational infrastructure, not ideology
The article discusses the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, 2026, affecting 15 departments and 471 municipalities. It highlights the massive human and infrastructure toll, including over 282,000 affected people, 319 deaths, and extensive damage to schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities. The author criticizes the Ministry of Education for prioritizing discussions on 'gender ideology' rather than addressing urgent educational needs caused by the disaster. The article references a decree estimating the economic cost at 30 billion pesos and notes that many buildings lack seismic-resistant design. The tone suggests frustration with what the author perceives as misplaced priorities during a national crisis.
The hunger balls
The article critiques the Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, for using symbolic gestures like distributing football balls to earthquake victims rather than addressing their immediate needs such as shelter, food, and medical care. The author draws a parallel to a scene in the film 'Novecento' where a farmer gives his ear to a landowner to prove he has heard him, highlighting the inadequacy of symbolic actions in place of tangible solutions. The piece argues that while providing entertainment through such gestures might momentarily distract from hardship, it fails to address the root causes of suffering. The author expresses concern over the image of the president wearing a football jersey and holding balloons, suggesting this reflects a disconnect between leadership and the practical needs of citizens. The tone suggests dissatisfaction with the administration’s approach to crisis management.
Prosecutor charges colonel who allegedly received payments from ELN and dissent
The Colombian Prosecutor's Office has indicted Colonel Carlos Didier Pérez Amorocho of the National Army for allegedly accepting payments from the ELN and dissident groups of the FARC. Pérez Amorocho was captured in Bogotá this week and faces charges of conspiring with armed groups to provide them with confidential military operation information. According to the indictment, he received 15 million pesos five years ago in Arauca and 30 million pesos weekly in Nariño. The alleged payments were in exchange for reducing military offensives against the ELN and facilitating drug trafficking by providing intelligence on police movements. The indictment claims that Pérez Amorocho also ordered his troops to discard seized drugs into rivers so that the armed groups could recover them later. He denies the charges and faces accusations including aggravated collaboration in crime, self-bribery, and illegal possession of weapons.
Minister of the Interior gives new balance on forest fires in Tolima and Quindío
On August 14, 2026, the Tolima department reported 33 active wildfires, while Cundinamarca had six forest fires, five of which were still active and one was 95% controlled. During a holiday period, emergency services across the country worked at maximum capacity to manage these incidents. In Tolima, firefighting efforts involved aerial support and ground crews in 17 municipalities, including Ortega, San Luis, Guamo, Honda, Chaparral, and Valle de San Juan. The minister of the Interior, Rodrigo Lara, provided an update stating that fires in Tolima, San Luis, and Ortega were under control with ground personnel and aerial assistance. However, the fire in Carmen de Apicalá remained active, with reinforcement units being deployed from San Luis. In Quindío, the fire in Génova was controlled, and measures were underway to prevent reignition. Authorities emphasized ongoing monitoring and coordination, highlighting the heroic efforts of firefighters. Additional resources, including police aircraft, forestry brigades, and water tankers, supported operations in affected areas.
Speak the big businessmen of Colombia who joined with President Abelardo De La Espriella to help the victims of the earthquake
In the wake of Colombia's worst earthquake of the century, a powerful alliance between the government and major business leaders has emerged, aiming to drive successful reconstruction efforts. President Abelardo De La Espriella and his wife, Ana Lucía Pineda, were immediately present in disaster zones, assessing the situation firsthand and coordinating relief efforts. The president maintained communication with local authorities and mobilized resources to assist victims. Notably, businessman Jaime Gilinski and his wife Raquel Kardonski announced significant donations for rebuilding Cali, which suffered the highest number of casualties. This sparked a wave of private-sector contributions, with over 2 billion pesos donated, including 1.1 billion pesos allocated for credit relief through Asobancaria. Over 1,800 tons of aid were mobilized, marking an unprecedented level of corporate solidarity. Interviews with key figures like Gilinski highlighted their commitment to restoring infrastructure and community life in affected areas.
The Next Move: What does the president want with the ideological battles he opens?
The article discusses an episode of 'La Siguiente Movida,' where hosts Juanita León and Héctor Riveros analyze recent political moves by President Abelardo De la Espriella. They examine three key actions: announcing joint military operations with the United States, recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and potential withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. The discussion focuses on these ideological battles and their implications for Colombian politics.
Government stops delivery of notaries nationwide
The Colombian government, under President Abelardo de la Espriella, has suspended the delivery of notarías (notarial positions) nationwide at the request of the newly appointed Superintendence of Notariado y Registro head, Joaquín José Méndez Llach. This decision follows allegations of irregularities in the rapid appointments made by former president Gustavo Petro during his final days in office. The suspensions aim to ensure compliance with legal principles such as transparency and merit, while an 'audit forensic' is being conducted. Petro had appointed eight new notaries in a single day, many of whom were allies or close associates of his administration. Some appointees have ties to figures implicated in past corruption scandals, including the case of Eleonora Pineda, who was convicted of parapolitics. Similar practices have been observed in previous administrations, raising concerns about politicization of these roles.
The manual of disinformation by Gustavo Petro
The article analyzes former Colombian President Gustavo Petro's pattern of spreading misinformation during his four years in office, based on 159 fact-checks conducted by La Silla Vacía’s Detector de Mentiras. Petro was found to have disseminated false information in at least 126 instances, with 73% of these claims originating from his X (formerly Twitter) account. The article highlights that Petro often used misinformation to support political decisions, defend his administration, or criticize opponents. A significant portion of his claims revolved around allegations of electoral fraud, particularly targeting Thomas Greg & Sons, a logistics firm involved in elections. These claims were repeated extensively on social media and in speeches, especially around key moments in his presidency. Despite these assertions, no national or international authority has validated them, and even some members of his own government did not endorse them. The article draws parallels between Petro’s narrative and similar unfounded fraud claims made by politicians like Donald Trump in the U.S. and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil.
This military caravan video is from 2019 and happened in La Guajira
A viral video showing armored military vehicles circulating online was claimed to depict a recent deployment by Colombia's Army to the Catatumbo and Cauca regions to combat illegal armed groups under the new government. However, the video was debunked as misleading. The footage was taken in 2019 and shows a road in La Guajira heading north, not toward the Catatumbo or Cauca. Analysis confirmed the video was recorded at the entrance to San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira, along the La Paz–Buenavista route. The vehicles shown are identified as M1117 ASVs and LAV-III models, which were previously deployed by the Army in 2021 and 2024, respectively. The video was uploaded to YouTube in June 2022 but originated from 2019. The Army confirmed this, clarifying that the footage showed the delivery of these vehicles at that time.