Luis Carlos Velez Leaves CNN

Luis Carlos Velez is leaving CNN after 6 years with the network.

Originally joining CNN Worldwide as Senior Business Producer for CNN en Español, Velez jumped to CNN International in February 2011 to co-host the (now defunct) Asia morning edition of World Business Today. He was most recently a correspondent based in New York.

Wradio.com.co reports that Velez is headed to Colombia to assume the role of news director of Caracol TV. The website also posted the text of Velez's apparent farewell email to CNN colleagues. It reads, in part:

"Today came the day of departure. After more than six years working together is the time to take a new step. I am extremely grateful for all the personal teaching and journalism.

Thank you for showing the world, special coverage, for transmissions last minute on the news in context and the laughter in the air, for encouraging my senses, sensibilizarme, but more importantly, for showing me to do journalism independent, balanced, elegant and world class."

On Friday, Velez anchored CNN en Español's Encuentro and made the announcement of his departure. A video for our Spanish-speaking readers is below.