Harriet Barber
@harrietbarber.bsky.social
Latin America reporter covering human rights abuses, migration, environment, sexual violence, abortion access and politics. Bylines in The Guardian, The Sunday Times, New European, New Lines.
https://www.harrietbarber.co.uk/
https://www.harrietbarber.co.uk/
Reposted by Harriet Barber
In 1988, on the eve of Just Cause, the US indicted Noriega for drug smuggling – just as they have w/ Maduro who recently had a $50m bounty put on his head. “So they’ve established a convenient pretext if they choose to pursue a military route”
US military buildup off Venezuela coast stirs echoes of 1989 Panama invasion
Some see anti-Noriega operation as model for deposing Maduro but others say US-orchestrated military coup is more likely option
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM
In 1988, on the eve of Just Cause, the US indicted Noriega for drug smuggling – just as they have w/ Maduro who recently had a $50m bounty put on his head. “So they’ve established a convenient pretext if they choose to pursue a military route”
Reposted by Harriet Barber
Two showmen, $40bn and one very fragile economy: what could possibly go wrong?
✏️ @harrietbarber.bsky.social
✏️ @harrietbarber.bsky.social
Why Trump bought Argentina’s election
Two showmen, $40bn and one very fragile economy: what could possibly go wrong?
www.thenewworld.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Two showmen, $40bn and one very fragile economy: what could possibly go wrong?
✏️ @harrietbarber.bsky.social
✏️ @harrietbarber.bsky.social
I'm on The Guardian's Today in Podcast talking all things Argentina in the run-up to this weekend's midterm elections.
Listen here 🎙️
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Listen here 🎙️
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Why is Trump giving billions to Argentina? – podcast
Donald Trump is offering a $20bn currency swap to bail out Argentina’s president, Javier Milei. Harriet Barber reports
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I'm on The Guardian's Today in Podcast talking all things Argentina in the run-up to this weekend's midterm elections.
Listen here 🎙️
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Listen here 🎙️
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Colombia has condemned US airstrikes on suspected drug boats off the coast of South America, after two new Pacific strikes left five dead, and urged Washington to stop the attacks.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Colombia urges US to halt strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats: ‘It is murder’
Plea comes after Pete Hegseth announced two new strikes that left at least five people dead
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Colombia has condemned US airstrikes on suspected drug boats off the coast of South America, after two new Pacific strikes left five dead, and urged Washington to stop the attacks.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Harriet Barber
A Venezuela mission would not be the first in Latin America & the Caribbean conducted by the Night Stalkers, whose pilots specialise in infiltrating and exfiltrating special forces troops – called “customers” – from hostile places, nearly always at night.
US ‘Night Stalkers’ seen in Caribbean as fears of regime change rise in Venezuela
Elite helicopter unit’s part in military deployment comes as Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás Maduro
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A Venezuela mission would not be the first in Latin America & the Caribbean conducted by the Night Stalkers, whose pilots specialise in infiltrating and exfiltrating special forces troops – called “customers” – from hostile places, nearly always at night.
From Colombia’s battlefields to Sudan’s war zones: hundreds of Colombian mercenaries are fighting in Sudan, accused of training child soldiers and helping fuel one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘War is a business’: the Colombian mercenaries at Sudan’s battlefront
A soldier of fortune tells of lucrative contracts, the siege of El Fasher and training child fighters to ‘go and get killed’
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:31 AM
From Colombia’s battlefields to Sudan’s war zones: hundreds of Colombian mercenaries are fighting in Sudan, accused of training child soldiers and helping fuel one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
The rebels visited the brothel armed and masked. They would order the women to line up, put their guns in their mouths and rape them.
"It was ugly," says Valeria. "A place filled with women and underage girls – all of us tricked and trapped."
Report from Cúcuta.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
"It was ugly," says Valeria. "A place filled with women and underage girls – all of us tricked and trapped."
Report from Cúcuta.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Amid rising violence in Colombia, girls and women are being held as sex slaves: ‘No woman is safe’
The Catatumbo region, home to huge coca fields, has been ravaged by a fight for control between two armed groups
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The rebels visited the brothel armed and masked. They would order the women to line up, put their guns in their mouths and rape them.
"It was ugly," says Valeria. "A place filled with women and underage girls – all of us tricked and trapped."
Report from Cúcuta.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
"It was ugly," says Valeria. "A place filled with women and underage girls – all of us tricked and trapped."
Report from Cúcuta.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
On 18 March 1976, Tenório Júnior, a Brazilian pianist who had played alongside some of Latin America’s greatest musicians, disappeared from the streets of Buenos Aires.
For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery – until now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
@eaafoficial.bsky.social
For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery – until now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
@eaafoficial.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On 18 March 1976, Tenório Júnior, a Brazilian pianist who had played alongside some of Latin America’s greatest musicians, disappeared from the streets of Buenos Aires.
For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery – until now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
@eaafoficial.bsky.social
For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery – until now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
@eaafoficial.bsky.social
Reposted by Harriet Barber
The bossa nova pianist Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior went out for cigarettes after a concert in Buenos Aires in March 1976 – a forensic team has finally revealed his fate. By @harrietbarber.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Brazilian musician identified as victim of 1976 killing by Argentina military
The bossa nova pianist Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior went out for cigarettes after a concert in Buenos Aires – a forensic team has finally revealed his fate
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2025 at 9:41 AM
The bossa nova pianist Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior went out for cigarettes after a concert in Buenos Aires in March 1976 – a forensic team has finally revealed his fate. By @harrietbarber.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Reposted by Harriet Barber
“For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery, sparking desperate searches, raising suspicions of government complicity, and inspiring international documentaries. Now the mystery has been solved,” writes @harrietbarber.bsky.social
Brazilian musician identified as victim of 1976 killing by Argentina military
The bossa nova pianist Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior went out for cigarettes after a concert in Buenos Aires – a forensic team has finally revealed his fate
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM
“For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery, sparking desperate searches, raising suspicions of government complicity, and inspiring international documentaries. Now the mystery has been solved,” writes @harrietbarber.bsky.social
Millions of years ago, Panama emerged from the sea, connecting North and South America and birthing astonishing biodiversity: 1,000 bird species, hundreds of mammal species, and habitats including lush cloud forests, mangroves and vibrant seas.
My latest in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social.
My latest in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social.
September 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Millions of years ago, Panama emerged from the sea, connecting North and South America and birthing astonishing biodiversity: 1,000 bird species, hundreds of mammal species, and habitats including lush cloud forests, mangroves and vibrant seas.
My latest in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social.
My latest in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social.
Turned away at US border, Venezuelans languish in Panamanian purgatory. My report from Miramar.
September 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Turned away at US border, Venezuelans languish in Panamanian purgatory. My report from Miramar.
As many as 96 people are now thought to have died in Argentina after being treated with medical-use fentanyl that was tainted with bacteria. Investigators warn the number may continue to rise.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @theguardian.com
Argentina rocked as contaminated medical fentanyl kills up to 96 patients
Dozens of hospital patients treated with opioid for unrelated conditions suffered serious bacterial infections
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
As many as 96 people are now thought to have died in Argentina after being treated with medical-use fentanyl that was tainted with bacteria. Investigators warn the number may continue to rise.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @theguardian.com
Peru has enacted a sweeping amnesty law in Peru, shielding military and police from prosecution over human rights abuses committed between 1980 and 2000. Rights groups say it will deny justice to thousands of victims.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @dancollyns.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @dancollyns.bsky.social
Peru enacts amnesty for military and police accused of human rights abuses
Families of victims and advocacy groups condemn law that covers internal armed conflict from 1980 to 2000
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Peru has enacted a sweeping amnesty law in Peru, shielding military and police from prosecution over human rights abuses committed between 1980 and 2000. Rights groups say it will deny justice to thousands of victims.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @dancollyns.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a... @dancollyns.bsky.social
Reposted by Harriet Barber
🗞️ Our latest issue is on sale - Look who’s back! 👀
Featuring Matthew d’Ancona, @sonia-sodha.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, @harrietbarber.bsky.social, @jamesrball.com and more
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Featuring Matthew d’Ancona, @sonia-sodha.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, @harrietbarber.bsky.social, @jamesrball.com and more
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August 14, 2025 at 8:10 AM
🗞️ Our latest issue is on sale - Look who’s back! 👀
Featuring Matthew d’Ancona, @sonia-sodha.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, @harrietbarber.bsky.social, @jamesrball.com and more
Subscribe for £1: buff.ly/zwIwzGA
Featuring Matthew d’Ancona, @sonia-sodha.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, @harrietbarber.bsky.social, @jamesrball.com and more
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Reposted by Harriet Barber
‘A whole spectrum of hatred’: women face increased violence in Milei’s Argentina as rights are eroded
‘A whole spectrum of hatred’: women face increased violence in Milei’s Argentina as rights are eroded
In a country once lauded as a progressive bastion in Latin America, protections are being dismantled by a populist leader, and gender-based offences are on the rise
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:36 AM
‘A whole spectrum of hatred’: women face increased violence in Milei’s Argentina as rights are eroded
Javier Milei’s government has dismantled Argentina’s gender ministry, cut services for abuse survivors and plans to strike femicide from the penal code. Rights groups warn changes are already impacting protections and could worsen violence against women.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘A whole spectrum of hatred’: women face increased violence in Milei’s Argentina as rights are eroded
In a country once lauded as a progressive bastion in Latin America, protections are being dismantled by a populist leader, and gender-based offences are on the rise
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Javier Milei’s government has dismantled Argentina’s gender ministry, cut services for abuse survivors and plans to strike femicide from the penal code. Rights groups warn changes are already impacting protections and could worsen violence against women.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Javier Milei vowed to take a “chainsaw” to Argentina’s state. Inflation is down – but inequality is deepening and unemployment rising. My analysis for The New World on the president’s high-stakes gamble.
🔗 www.thenewworld.co.uk/harriet-barb...
🔗 www.thenewworld.co.uk/harriet-barb...
Javier Milei’s broken chainsaw
Argentinians like what their president has done on inflation. The problem is that plenty of them hate everything else about him
www.thenewworld.co.uk
August 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Javier Milei vowed to take a “chainsaw” to Argentina’s state. Inflation is down – but inequality is deepening and unemployment rising. My analysis for The New World on the president’s high-stakes gamble.
🔗 www.thenewworld.co.uk/harriet-barb...
🔗 www.thenewworld.co.uk/harriet-barb...
Twenty-five more bodies have been recovered from Neiva Cemetery, thought to be victims of Colombia's decades-long armed conflict.
I was on site with the forensic scientists in July. Read my report about the search for the missing here.
www.thetimes.com/world/latin-...
I was on site with the forensic scientists in July. Read my report about the search for the missing here.
www.thetimes.com/world/latin-...
I shot innocent people to meet kill quotas. Now I help families find them
Troops shot thousands of civilians in Colombia’s civil war then dressed them as guerrillas. Decades later they’re avoiding jail by tracking down the bodies
www.thetimes.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Twenty-five more bodies have been recovered from Neiva Cemetery, thought to be victims of Colombia's decades-long armed conflict.
I was on site with the forensic scientists in July. Read my report about the search for the missing here.
www.thetimes.com/world/latin-...
I was on site with the forensic scientists in July. Read my report about the search for the missing here.
www.thetimes.com/world/latin-...
Colombian senator and 2026 presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who shot in the head at a campaign rally in June, has died today after nine weeks in intensive care and multiple surgeries.
Latest at @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Latest at @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Colombian senator Miguel Uribe dies after June campaign shooting
Rightwing presidential hopeful, who had been in hospital in Bogotá since shooting, has died aged 39
www.theguardian.com
August 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Colombian senator and 2026 presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who shot in the head at a campaign rally in June, has died today after nine weeks in intensive care and multiple surgeries.
Latest at @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Latest at @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Argentina is building its largest crude export port on Patagonia’s coast, near a UNESCO marine sanctuary home to whales, penguins & sea lions. Scientists warn spills could devastate wildlife. My report for @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/global-devel... @andreinetto.bsky.social
‘We’ve begun oil spill response training’: Patagonia prepares for the largest crude oil export port in Argentina
Wildlife experts warn huge facility on the Valdés peninsula in Patagonia could be devastating for ‘a treasure chest of wildlife’
www.theguardian.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Argentina is building its largest crude export port on Patagonia’s coast, near a UNESCO marine sanctuary home to whales, penguins & sea lions. Scientists warn spills could devastate wildlife. My report for @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/global-devel... @andreinetto.bsky.social
Argentina’s dictatorship disappeared 30,000 people and kidnapped hundreds of babies of its opponents. For nearly 50 years the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo have searched for the missing grandchildren.
My interview with Buscarita Roa, one of the last surviving Abuelas. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
My interview with Buscarita Roa, one of the last surviving Abuelas. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
I am one of the last of the Abuelas – the grandmothers still searching for Argentina’s ‘disappeared’. I’m 87, but I will never give up
Nearly 50 years ago, my son and his wife were tortured and killed and their baby was taken by the military regime. Two decades later, I found her – but hundreds of grandchildren are still missing
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Argentina’s dictatorship disappeared 30,000 people and kidnapped hundreds of babies of its opponents. For nearly 50 years the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo have searched for the missing grandchildren.
My interview with Buscarita Roa, one of the last surviving Abuelas. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
My interview with Buscarita Roa, one of the last surviving Abuelas. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
An emerging threat that is transforming the transnational criminal landscape: the unmanned narco sub.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Colombia identifies new threat in drug war: the autonomous narco drone sub
Country’s navy announced seizure of uncrewed narco sub, first capture of such a vessel in Colombian waters
www.theguardian.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
An emerging threat that is transforming the transnational criminal landscape: the unmanned narco sub.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Gangs in Colombia are increasingly recruiting children into their ranks, with a notable number coerced over TikTok and Facebook, the United Nations has warned.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Colombia gangs lure children to join ranks via TikTok, UN warns
Armed groups post videos of weapons, cars and parties to social media to depict ‘perks’ of lifestyle, say experts
www.theguardian.com
June 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Gangs in Colombia are increasingly recruiting children into their ranks, with a notable number coerced over TikTok and Facebook, the United Nations has warned.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
The attempted assassination of a Colombian presidential hopeful has reignited fears of a return to a bloody past when organized crime and rebel groups murdered candidates, journalists, judges with impunity.
Latest for the @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Latest for the @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Assassination attempt in Colombia sparks fears of return to bloody past: ‘It’s a devastating moment’
Attack on presidential candidate is oreminiscent of some of the darkest chapters of the country’s history
www.theguardian.com
June 13, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The attempted assassination of a Colombian presidential hopeful has reignited fears of a return to a bloody past when organized crime and rebel groups murdered candidates, journalists, judges with impunity.
Latest for the @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Latest for the @theguardian.com.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...