COOwnership & classification
Founded: 1982
Ownership
The newsweekly Semana was relaunched in 1982 by journalist Felipe López Caballero (reviving a title that had run 1946-1960 under former president Alberto Lleras Camargo) and was controlled by López for nearly four decades. In 2019 billionaire banker Jaime Gilinski Bacal acquired 50% of Grupo Semana, and in November 2020 the Gilinski Group bought out the remaining shareholders to take 100% control. The Gilinski Group is a Colombian banking and corporate conglomerate (Banco GNB Sudameris, Lulo Bank, a large stake in Grupo Nutresa).
Funding
It is financed commercially through advertising, magazine sales and digital subscriptions, underpinned by its owner's banking and industrial conglomerate.
Affiliation & stance
After the Gilinski takeover, a wave of journalist resignations accompanied a marked editorial shift to the right, and the magazine became closely aligned with conservative interests and figures like director Vicky Dávila. Although privately owned rather than party- or state-run, the heavy proprietorial steering toward a partisan, owner-aligned line makes its independence contested; on the file's INDEPENDENT/DEPENDENT axis it is best described as a private outlet whose owner exercises strong editorial influence, with a center-right to right lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1223
81/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
1752
Articles
1752
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
Elimination in MasterChef Celebrity: the mistake with a sweet sauce that left out beloved actress
During a pivotal episode of 'MasterChef Celebrity' in Colombia, four participants faced elimination challenges. Among them, Martha Restrepo was eliminated after her dish featured overly sweet sauce, which was deemed a technical error. The judges, including renowned chefs Jorge Rausch, Nicolás de Zubiría, and Belén Alonso, criticized both Martha and Verónica Orozco for their dishes, noting issues with rice texture and presentation. In contrast, Luciano D’Alessandro and Mariana Mozo impressed the panel with their culinary skills, with Mariana receiving a symbolic 'cachete' recognition. Martha, a veteran actress with over two decades in Colombian television, was noted for her discipline and traditional cooking style. Her elimination highlights the increasing technical demands of the competition.
Tolima lottery this Monday, October 5, 2026: number and series winners of the top prize
On Monday, October 5, 2026, the Loteria del Tolima in Colombia held draw number 4190, offering a top prize of $3.5 million. The winning numbers were 6241 and series 067. Additional prizes totaling over $13.5 million were also awarded, including various items such as a new car, a luxury home, and other high-value rewards. Previous results from recent draws are listed, showing the winning numbers and series for each date since August 2026.
The winning numbers of the Super Astro Luna of Monday, October 5, 2026
On Monday, October 5, 2026, the 8264th draw of the Super Astro Luna lottery took place, offering prizes up to 42,000 times the amount wagered. The winning number was 3246, associated with the zodiac sign Capricorn. Recent draws included numbers 6060 (Leo), 3097 (Aries), and 4014 (Aquarius). The next draw is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:50 PM, broadcast live on Canal 1. Players choose a four-digit number between 0000 and 9999 and associate it with one of the 12 zodiac signs. Prizes vary based on the number of digits matched plus the zodiac sign, with minimum and maximum bets set at 500 and 10,000 pesos respectively.
Eight out of ten women in Colombia prioritize self-care: these are the practices they do most
A study conducted by Natura and Gentedemente reveals that 81% of women in Colombia consider self-care to be a significant part of their daily lives, making this the highest proportion among Latin American countries included in the research. The practices most commonly associated with self-care include getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and spending time with family and friends. Additionally, 58% of Colombian women view skin care as essential within their self-care routines, surpassing the regional average. While many women report being able to take care of themselves as much as they would like, 53% still face challenges related to time and daily responsibilities. The study surveyed 2,494 women over 20 years old across six Latin American countries, including 406 from Colombia.
Colombia occupies one of the worst places in the world in the top to have a car with a salary: expenses and full ranking
A study by Scrap Car Comparison ranked the affordability of vehicle ownership for the working class across 98 countries. Colombia ranked second globally and first in Latin America, with owning and maintaining a car costing 466.1% of the average annual salary. The report compared vehicle costs to income levels, highlighting significant financial strain for Colombian workers. A separate study by the University of Manuela Beltrán detailed monthly expenses for different car categories, showing that even low-end vehicles require around 1.38 million pesos per month, equivalent to approximately 16.6 million pesos annually. This underscores the economic challenge of vehicle ownership for the average Colombian.
Colombia fell in its national sport: India was crowned in the IV World Tejo
Colombia hosted the IV World Tejo Championship, which took place on October 2, 2026, at Tejo La Embajada. Despite being the host country and the birthplace of the sport, Colombia did not win the tournament. India emerged as the champion, securing their second consecutive title after winning in 2023. The event brought together teams from 18 countries, including representatives from diplomatic missions, and was described by the Indian Embassy in Colombia as a celebration of sportsmanship, friendship, and cultural diplomacy. The competition involved players launching metal discs at clay targets containing small explosive charges, requiring skill, precision, and celebration. The Indian Embassy expressed pride in their team’s victory and highlighted the event as an opportunity to strengthen international ties.
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.
Chontico Day and Night Lottery: results of the draw on Monday, October 5, 2026
On Monday, October 5, 2026, thousands of Colombians participated in the traditional Chontico Día lottery, hoping to win the top prize and improve their financial situation. The winning number for the draw was 2399, while the additional 'La Quinta' ball was 6. Results for the Chontico Noche draw were pending at the time of publication. The next draws for both editions of the lottery were scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Previous results for the Chontico Día lottery included numbers such as 6288 on October 4, 3007 on October 3, and 2399 on October 2. Similarly, previous results for the Chontico Noche lottery included numbers like 6998 on October 4, 2094 on October 3, and 2399 on October 2.
AlcolirykoZ is back in Medellin and the Colombian soprano who debuted at Carnegie Hall is preparing the expected gala
The article highlights upcoming music events in Colombia, featuring both classical and contemporary performances. The soprano Ana Ruge, who previously performed at Carnegie Hall, will host a lyrical concert in Bucaramanga on October 23, accompanied by Cuban pianist Beatriz Batista. The event will feature works by composers such as Rossini, Bellini, Schubert, and Puccini. Meanwhile, the Colombian hip-hop group AlcolirykoZ is set to return to Medellín for a performance on December 11, marking the conclusion of their 2026 tour. The group originated in Medellín in the late 1990s and has become a significant figure in Colombian hip-hop, with hits like 'Tarareo' and 'Medellificación.'
MiniI'm called Mini Mini: the new stage that integrates imitation children and the return of Aurelio Cheveroni
Caracol Televisión ha lanzado una nueva fase de su concurso de imitación llamada 'Yo Me Llamo Mini', en la cual niños entre 5 y 13 años participan en una competición de habilidades vocales y de imitación. Los 20 participantes restantes en la versión adulta del concurso actúan como padrinos, guiando a los niños durante su participación. Aurelio Cheveroni, un personaje reconocido del programa infantil Club 10, vuelve a formar parte de la mesa de jurados junto a otros profesionales. El formato incluye que cada adulto comparta sus conocimientos con un niño asignado, ayudándolo a desarrollar técnicas de interpretación y manejo del escenario. Durante la primera entrega, los niños interpretaron a figuras como Whitney Houston, Mon Laferte, Julio Jaramillo y Luis Miguel, recibiendo comentarios positivos de los jueces. La participación de menores requiere la autorización de sus padres o representantes legales, quienes acompañan el proceso. La fase se espera que termine antes de que el concurso retome su formato habitual con participantes adultos.
My friend snitched on me: Jessi Uribe recalled how a friend snitched on Sandra Barrios
The Colombian singer Jessi Uribe recounted a youthful incident during an interview on the entertainment program 'La Red' where his infidelity to his then-partner Sandra Barrios was exposed. At 19 years old, Uribe was involved in a car accident after drinking alcohol and devised a plan with a close friend to cover up the incident by falsely claiming they had spent the night playing pool. However, the friend betrayed him by informing Barrios of the truth before Uribe could confront her. The incident led to their separation in 2019, and Uribe later married another singer, Paola Jara. Despite the betrayal, Uribe expressed continued appreciation for his friend.
A huge hole appeared in the ice of Antarctica: scientists now know what caused it
A massive area of open water appeared in the Antarctic sea ice during the winter of 2024, covering nearly 89,121 square kilometers, comparable in size to Portugal. This event occurred in the Eastern Antarctic’s Breid Bay, a region typically covered by ice during July and August. Scientists identified six atmospheric rivers between July and August 2024 as a key factor. These atmospheric rivers transported large amounts of moisture and heat from lower latitudes toward Antarctica, combined with persistent southward winds that pushed sea ice toward the poles. The repeated arrival of these systems hindered ice formation, leading to warmer snowfall, increased atmospheric heating, and positive oceanic heat flow. Additionally, strong winds caused the Ekman suction effect, bringing warmer subsurface water to the surface, further preventing sea ice from forming. Researchers warn that such phenomena could become more frequent in the future, potentially altering historical patterns of stable sea ice in certain regions.
Merit over politics: Abelardo De La Espriella elects the staff of the ICBF
President Abelardo De La Espriella announced the start of evaluations for personnel selection at the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), emphasizing merit over political connections. He stated that he was working with ICBF director María Carolina Restrepo Cañavera to select the best profiles from the 'Bank of Talents' platform called 'Patria Milagro.' The government aims to build a workforce with technical expertise to manage social programs focused on early childhood and adolescence nationwide. The Bank of Talents uses AI algorithms to filter applications based on required qualifications, allowing candidates to apply entirely online through the institutional website. This initiative aligns with the administration’s goal of promoting meritocracy during the 2026–2030 period by reducing traditional political recommendations in public appointments.