The most recent Gallup Colombia poll revealed that among the mayors of Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, Cali and Medellín, only Anibal Gaviria came out well. In the Governor’s category, Antioquia’s Sergio Fajardo also did significantly better than counterparts from Valle, Atlántico and Santander.

According to Gallup Colombia manager, Jorge Londoño, both Gaviria and Fajardo inspire a sense of trust in their citizens and lead them to think things will get better, which doesn’t seem to be the case elsewhere.

Colombians turned to social networks to voice their unhappiness over the infamous judicial reform approved by Congress last week, forcing the nation’s political class to take a more careful look at these outlets and admit that these discussions may have more weight than they thought. The ingredients, some say, have the makings of our very own Arab Summer: indignation, technologically savvy citizens, media willing to feed the fire, an unpopular president and discredited institutions.

Ideas like a referendum, a constitutional assembly and calling for the removal of congressmen who were in favor of the reform were just some that came up; the most popular one being the constitutional assembly backed by former Colombian President, Alvaro Uribe.

Today Colombians will be thrilled to welcome a drop in the price of regular gasoline, which could be of up to 132 pesos per gallon, in Antioquia’s case. The best case scenario would be a 1,5 percent drop, which would leave the gallon at 8,667,3 pesos, just two pesos below the price that was set in January.

The Minister of Mines, Mauricio Cárdenas, explained that the same reduction may not apply, however, to diesel fuel, “because that fuel is measured differently.” Representing one third of their operational costs, diesel remains transporters’ biggest headache; it went up 206,31 pesos in Antioquia and only went down 100 pesos last month.

One week after scandal broke with Congress’ approval of the judicial reform, Senate President Juan Manuel Corzo weighed in on the issue and said the Government is wrong to call extraordinary sessions in an effort to sink the reform. As president of the Senate, Corzo explained, he could have kept the reform from being enacted.

The senator insists it was Justice Minister, Juan Carlos Esguerra, who encouraged the congressmen to approve the reform despite the “monkey wrenches” which had indeed already been identified at the time. As far as the so-called “monkey wrenches”, Corzo said he wasn’t behind any of the proposals that emerged from any of the committees and that he was actually the one who requested the Justice Minister’s presence in that meeting.

More than 60 companies from Antioquia are headed for New York City, where they will attempt to make new deals with US business executives. Banana, coffee, dairy products, clothing, chocolate, shoes, leather products and snacks are just some of the products that small, medium and large companies will bring to Chelsea Piers, where they will meet their future business partners from the North.

The cape gooseberry, or uchuva, is a fruit still rarely seen in the U.S. because of phytosanitary restrictions that didn’t disappear with the FTA; some companies, however, believe it’s a product with great potential and are hoping to find clients for it.

Vice President of Colombia, Angelino Garzón, is still in critical but stable condition after being diagnosed with cerebral ischemia and suffering two strokes in one week. Mr. Garzón is currently in an induced coma which, according to cardiologist Rodrigo Botero, is something done to a patient when an important area of the brain has been compromised.

Dr. Botero explained that there isn’t a set period of time to keep a patient in an induced coma, “normally you wait 48 hours and decisions are made based on the results.” The Garzón family expressed gratitude for the multiple displays of affection and solidarity and asked the public to keep in mind that the only ones authorized to report on the Vice President’s condition are doctors from the Reina Sofía hospital.

Congress’ seal of approval on the final draft of the judicial reform was met with rejection all over the country. Among other controversial aspects, 35 investigations against Congressmen will be suspended and the Supreme Court will no longer have jurisdiction over these cases.

“Congress has created a vicious circle of impunity,” said Alejandra Barrios of the Electoral Observation Mission; “this reform goes against the very essence of the Constitution of 1991.”

Reaching the US market may not be as difficult as many business owners seem to think. With a clear vision and following a few simple steps, products can make it onto shelves all over the United States .

It’s helpful to have an innovative product, a registered brand, a clear and coherent export plan and knowledge of the English language. Once the product makes it onto US soil, the best thing to do is find a broker who knows the market and the potential a product can have in said market. In a country of more than 300 million residents, businesses must also be very clear as far as the kind of customers they intend to target.

Vice President of Colombia, Angelino Garzón, suffered a brain ischemia, a condition that consists of insufficient blood flow to the brain. A statement released by the Reina Sofía Hospital in Bogotá, where Garzón has been hospitalized since Thursday, explained the Vice-President’s condition and said he is “under strict medical observation, with neurological protective measures (…)”.

President Juan Manuel Santos visited on Wednesday and confirmed afterwards that Garzon’s condition is delicate but stable. In August of 2010, just a few days after being sworn in as Colombia’s Vice President, Garzón underwent heart surgery, which kept him away from his duties for a month.

Colombia’s economy is deflated and it’s time to take urgent measures before Europe’s crises get a little too close and consequences turn devastating. According to a survey by Andi, accumulated growth rates of industrial production fell compared to March and fewer companies reported favorable circumstances. At the close of the year’s fourth month, industrial production had only grown 2,3 percent and total sales increased 4,3 percent.

Energy demand also fell by 0,1 percent and exports fell 9,7 percent. Sectors reporting growth of more than ten percent were non-metallic mineral products, steel and domestic appliances. Textiles, rubber, chemicals, vehicles and auto parts reported declines in both production and sales.