* Colombia’s national statistics department (Dane) has released the latest consumer price index, which shows monthly inflation of 0.70% in August, bringing the annual inflation rate to 11.43%. This makes August the third consecutive month of rising monthly inflation, which stood at 0.50% in July and 0.30% in June. Over the same period, however, annual inflation has experienced a sustained decline, dropping from 11.78% in July and 12.13% in June. The steepest monthly price rises in August were in the categories of alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+1.14%), food and non-alcoholic drinks (+1.13%), recreation and culture (+1.02%), and transport (+0.90%).