I swear I’ve learnt more about Bogota and Colombian politics from street art than in any other way. Yesterday, while walking the streets looking for new art, I came upon, for the first time, some new political stencils that provoked me to come home and find out more about them.
This was on the outside wall of a cafe off of Calle 26. It just caught my eye, I don’t know why. I “think” it’s Piedad Cordoba, a very controversial political figure in Colombia. Apparently she is a former Liberal Senator of Colombia. She was stripped of her seat in Congress on two separate occasions and she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize! She’s been accused of and has supposedly admitted to, being a supporter (and possibly a guerilla member) of FARC, a Marxist-Leninist group known for its drug trafficking. And it looks like there’s support for her to make a comeback! Go Piedad!
I “think” this is Gustavo Petro, the current mayor of Bogota. He is also a controversial figure and has publicly criticized the FARC guerilla group. He and his family have received death threats from a variety of government-run security organizations. Most of the groups deny any involvement. Obviously, someone who doesn’t support him, added the “gay” slur.
Another one on the same day. This one was off of Septima around Calle 15 maybe…
1NOV12. Bogota, Colombia. iPOD Touch, Instagram Lo-Fi Aspect