Crime, Congestion, and Corruption Frame Mayoral Race in Bogota

Shadows hang over the mayoral elections taking place this Sunday in Bogota, Colombia, the country’s capital and biggest city. With its current mayor, Samuel Moreno, removed from office and in jail awaiting trial over bribery charges, residents there are understandably disillusioned with politicians. The growing city of 8.2 million is also struggling with crime, congestion, joblessness, and persistent poverty.

Four of five recent polls put leftist senator Gustavo Petro slightly ahead of the pack, though his past involvement with the militant guerrilla group M-19 hasn't escaped controversy. Green Party candidate Enrique Peñalosa, who served as the city’s mayor from 1998 to 2001, is hanging in at second place. Peñalosa is often credited with the city’s much-touted bus rapid transit system known as TransMilenio, which is widely seen as a model for other cities but has struggled to expand and meet the growing demand for its services. The third leading candidate, former congresswoman Gina Parody, has the support of another former mayor, Antanas Mockus. Peñalosa has the support of current Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.