Luke Taylor

Freelance journalist covering Colombia, Venezuela and wider Latin America from Bogotá, Colombia.


Particularly interested in how conflict drives issues like deforestation, the international drug trade and migration. 


Works on broadcast news, radio and documentaries with international media such as Al Jazeera, ARD, Channel 4 and VTM.


History and Politics graduate - QMULondon.


Lukestephentaylor@gmail.com

The BMJ •

Covid-19 misinformation sparks threats and violence against doctors in Latin America

When the 15 bed clinic managed by Diego Posada started filling in mid-June, he received an elderly patient from a nearby town with severe respiratory conditions. Owing to a lack of equipment at the small clinic in rural northwestern Colombia, he sent the patient to the capital, Bogotá, where doctors could better treat her and hopefully save her from becoming the latest victim in Colombia’s losing battle against covid-19.
The Telegraph •

How Brazil became South America’s Covid-19 hotspot

If South America is the new Covid-19 “epicentre”, as the World Health Organization (WHO) labelled it on May 22, Brazil is its key battlefield. The worst could also be yet to come for Brazil with both the winter flu and Amazon fire seasons now underway as the curve continues to rise. But public health experts say lessons can already be learnt from the country’s response which squandered a serious advantage it held over similar profile countries across the globe: its own equivalent of Britain’s National Health Service (NHS).
New Scientist •

How South America became the new centre of the coronavirus pandemic

CONFIRMED cases of covid-19 have surged in South America in recent weeks. As daily infections surpassed those in Europe and the US, the World Health Organization declared the region the pandemic‘s “new epicentre” on 22 May. More than a million cases of coronavirus and 60,000 deaths had been registered as of 7 June in Latin America, which includes countries in Central and South America and Mexico. Many are struggling with poor healthcare systems and vast economic inequalities.
The Independent •

How drug cartels are adapting to lockdowns around the world

Prying open a container in the port of Antwerp, Belgian customs officers were sure they were about to uncover a massive drugs bust: five tonnes of cocaine from South America was supposed to be inside. But when they pried it open, all they found was a pile of squid. The flummoxed officials discovered the cartels had been one step ahead, swapping out the illicit cargo upon arrival at port and before it could be checked by customs.
ABC News •

In this Indian village, killing tigers used to be a way of life — until an unexpected gift changed everything

Lakhaan Singh recalls the day he first killed a tiger as clearly as the emotional conflict it caused, eating away at him from the inside. When the moment came, he thought of himself, of his late father and the mighty Hindu goddess Durga. Charged with combating evil and protecting those weaker than herself, the many-armed Durga is often depicted majestically riding a big cat. Singh's father was such a devout Hindu he would scald his own hands with boiling oil to pay respects to the deity. Now, here was Singh, about to slay a tiger.
ABC News •

How the Amazon's lost tribes are turning Colombia's cocaine farmers into conservationists

Flaviano Mahecha is using his trusty machete to carve a path through the grassy undergrowth and prickly bushes of a farm on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. As he approaches a group of palm trees he stops: "This is moriche, and this is acai," he says, pointing excitedly at their leafy crowns. "Isn't it beautiful? All of Guaviare used to look like this," he adds, referring to the Colombian province that now forms the frontline in a fight to save the Amazon.
World Politics Review •

Will Colombia’s Duque Be the Next to Stumble Over Mass Protests?

Demonstrators have taken to the streets over the past three weeks in a series of massive antigovernment rallies in Colombia, making it the latest Latin American country to be convulsed by protests. While the ongoing unrest has not yet reached the scale of other recent crises elsewhere in the region, such as Bolivia or Chile, it nonetheless poses a stiff challenge to conservative President Ivan Duque, who has come under criticism in recent months for his unpopular economic and security policies.
Public Radio International •

Rage against the crisis: Venezuela's punk scene finds a new voice in Bogotá

The guitarist stops fiddling with his pedals as the lead singer, wearing long dreadlocks and all-black denim, approaches the edge of the stage. “This one is dedicated to the police,” she tells the crowd, before stepping off and joining them. The band creates an aggressive wall of noise as lead singer Susana González screams political lyrics criticizing police oppression and brutality.
The Independent •

New US sanctions on Venezuela pressure Maduro but ‘risk exacerbating humanitarian crisis and torpedoing negotiations’

When Juan Guaido raised his nation’s tricolour flag in January and swore himself in as interim president to the rapturous cheers of thousands in Caracas, many hoped – and believed – President Nicolas Maduro was finally on his way out. A long-fractured opposition had reorganised, mass protests returned to the capital, and within minutes the US – followed by 50 other nations – officially recognised the national assembly head as the country’s legitimate leader.
The Epoch Times •

Sales of Venezuelan Gold Spike Around World, Could Be 'Fundamental' to Maduro's Survival

BOGOTA, Colombia—As oil revenue for Venezuela continues to stagnate, the Maduro regime is more reliant than ever on illegal gold exploited from lawless jungles in the south of the country, according to a recent report and leading experts on the topic. The coveted mineral is being exported through an elaborate global network from the crisis-stricken nation to Europe, the Middle East, and the United States...
Public Radio International •

Venezuela’s ex-military deserted Maduro hoping for a revolution. Now they’re on the brink of homelessness.

Rengifo’s journey to the border town of Cúcuta, Colombia, put his life — and those of his family — at risk, but united him with hundreds of military and security officials who have already taken the same bold decision. Together, they intended to heed the call of self-appointed interim President Juan Guiadó to march back into Venezuela and bring Guiadó to power, removing President Nicolás Maduro, whom they see as a tyrant. Nearly three months on, however, the scenario seems little more than a dream.
USAToday •

Venezuela's Maduro often uses 'colectivos' rather than his military

Venezuelan President Maduro often uses 'colectivos' rather than military to maintain order When rolling blackouts once again left millions without water and electricity recently in Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro called not on his military but loyal armed groups “to defend the peace of every neighborhood” and “every block.” The groups – widely known as colectivos – took up the call with zeal.
Public Radio International •

Social activists risk their lives as Colombia’s peace process falters

As an education advocate, he was optimistic after attending a round of negotiations in the capital of Bogotá that broke a deadlock with the Colombian government over the future of thousands of Afro Colombians who lack access to higher education. But when Augusto arrived home, he found the lock on his door had been smashed in and the contents of his room were strewn in a mess on the floor. “If someone had wanted to take something they would have,” he says. “The message was clear: ‘We know who you are and we know where you live. Stop what you are doing or we’ll kill you.’”
New Scientist •

The forgotten riches of the most densely biodiverse country on Earth

THE AK-47 rifles hanging at the waists of the camo-clad visitors suggested they had little interest in birds. For ornithologist Andrés Cuervo, the knock at his cabin amid the isolated mountains, rivers and waterfalls of the Serranía de San Lucas region heralded just one of many unnerving encounters that punctuated his work. “Nobody knew the guerrillas were there, but they knew everything about us,” he says.
The Independent •

Venezuela Aid Live is playing out an international proxy war on the border

Just hours before the music festival is due to open, thousands continue to cross into Colombia from Venezuela on foot draped in their vibrant tricolours and hats which quickly identify them as excited concertgoers. Many hope to get a good spot to catch the lineup of some of the biggest names in the Colombian, Venezuelan and pan-Latin American music scenes, but they are expecting something more than just pop tunes and some fun.
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