Bogota has been in a depressive slump for too long. The complacent belief that the city is “the Athens of South America” has allowed governors to rule with decadent indifference. Something must be done to arrest the decline of a city that looked more developed and prettier in black and white. We must banish a collective fatalism that whiffs of the last days of Pompeii.
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Bogotá
No car day is pointless populism
Once upon a time a previous Bogota mayor won, through a referendum, the right to call an annual “no car day” in the city. The idea was to encourage people to stop and think about the effect their daily commute had on the environment. No bad thing.
Current mayor, Gustavo Petro, today held the second no car day of the year. And he wants another one before he finishes his mandate in December.
Who will save Bogota?
The race to succeed Gustavo Petro as Mayor of Bogota is already under way, as 3 “big beasts” line up ahead of October 2015 election.
If Colombia’s top weekly publication Semana is to be believed, those throwing their hats in the ring are Clara Lopez, Rafael Pardo and Pacho Santos. Read more…
Santos is losing the plot
For the first time I sense Juan Manuel Santos could lose the presidential election next month.
A poll which the Santos camp has reportedly refused to publish shows the president languishing on 19%, behind Enrique Peñalosa two points higher.
“Colombia’s democracy is mortally wounded”; Petro
Let there be no doubt; Gustavo Petro was a disastrous mayor. Bogota has gone backwards under his ideological administration. Today, many Bogotanos will allow themselves a sigh of relief as he finally leaves his post.
But for all his faults, Petro was elected fairly and squarely. His mandate came direct from Bogota’s 8 million souls, and his removal from office is an affront to us all. Read more…
World`s worst propaganda – Bogota style
Bogota`s Mayor Gustavo Petro could be kicked out of office next month in a city-wide referendum on his government.
It`s a big vote, hugely important for the future of Colombia`s capital city; the undisputed economic engine of the nation.
After years of mismanagement and corruption Bogota desperately needs a period of competent government.
Bogota; time to move on
As Bogota loses its mayor, time has come for voters to take control of their city.
Background
Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro has been handed a political death sentence. Inspector General (IG) Alejandro Ordoñez is kicking the former guerrilla out of power and banning him from office for 15 years. Read more…
Bogota needs a “Bloomberg”
Bogota is searching for a new mayor. Voters would do well to heed outgoing New York Mayor Bloomberg`s words about what makes a good leader, argues Kevin Howlett.
Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro was removed from office by Colombia`s Inspector General (IG) in December leaving the capital in need of new leadership. Read more…