visiting during presidential election

thur says on Feb 2, 2006, 09:05:

Ok... ... so not a real comparison, but still. I was in Bogotá during the 2002 elections (May). Pastrana had broken off the peacetalks in February and Uribe with his "big heart, strong hand" was leading the polls. Sure, there was more police, more military, but aside from that... that was about it. Electionday itself was nice, a lot of people, voting stalls with military on one side of the street and a lot of streetvendors (balloons, pies, fruit, anything else) on the other side. Nice to experience a whole different way of elections to what one's used to.
That evening eating in El Corral where they had TV's on with the results coming in slowly. Does this help? Doubtful, just my two cents. Perhaps someone has more practical advice.
Greetings,

- update: www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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Miguel says on Feb 3, 2006, 17:30:

BTW Did not the Farc bomb like hell in Bogotá during Alvarito's swearing in ceremony?

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FL305 says on Feb 3, 2006, 21:07:

I don't know, that's why I'm asking.

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juancegomez says on Feb 4, 2006, 09:12:

Miguel and FL305 That depends on what "like hell" translates to in your mind.

That's the first and as of yet only time in history that such a thing has happened, mind you, and that was in 2002, before a lot of successful military and police action took place against the FARC's urban operatives.

Back then, some urban FARC operatives were hiding in a poor neighborhood and shot a few homemade mortar rounds at the Presidential Palace (Casa de Nariño). Only one of the shots actually hit the building and made a small dent, while most of the others hit another poor neighborhood and killed some of the inhabitants (which were poor beggars and junkies who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time).

The police and military actually managed to capture the terrorists (because what these specific FARC guys did was terrorism) before they could do more than that and no other sectors of the city were affected at all.

The FARC did promise that they would "bring the war to the cities" when Uribe came to office, but other than the previously mentioned incident and maybe the 2003 El Nogal club bombing, their threat proved to be almost completely a bluff rather a reality. In fact, I'd say that public opinion in the cities is currently not worried at all about such a thing right now, given how the security situation has improved a lot in some respects.

So, unless you are staying somewhere too close to the Presidential Palace during the August 7th inauguration ceremony, I don't think you should be even remotely concerned about that possibility.

And, responding to the topic at hand, being here during the March/May elections should be safer than that (besides, the FARC didn't do anything offensive at all in the mayor cities during the 2002 elections).

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 4, 2006, 11:56:

what's the exact date of the presidential elections? I'll be in Colombia in May too and plan on visiting Bogotá on this trip. Just in case, so I don't happen to be standing next to Palacio Nariño that day.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Feb 4, 2006, 12:19:

My guess is Sunday, May 28th based on the election four years ago being held on Sunday, May 26, 2002

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 4, 2006, 12:24:

ok thanx, tinto I'll be already back in the safety of Stockholm by that date...if I make back alive from Cali....(shaking)
Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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juancegomez says on Feb 4, 2006, 16:31:

Good enough. Still, I'd actually be more worried about the inauguration date in August rather than the date of the elections in May, but that's just me... ;)

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 22, 2006, 23:58:

The Election Tinto is correct. The Election is indeed Sunday May 28, 2006

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 23, 2006, 00:17:

Another Juancegomez "Spin" or "lie" It never ceases to amaze me how Juancegomez can put a spin on things here. And the rest of you silly people sit back and allow what is at a minimum "spin", if not lies.

Juancegomez said the following:

Back then, some urban FARC operatives were hiding in a poor neighborhood and shot a few homemade mortar rounds at the Presidential Palace (Casa de Nariño). Only one of the shots actually hit the building and made a small dent, while most of the others hit another poor neighborhood and killed some of the inhabitants (which were poor beggars and junkies who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time)."

Ok, so what do we have here. From the above post, you would think next to nothing happened. I like the way he downplays the killings by saying the were just a bunch of poor beggars and junkies that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. As if to say these people don't contribute much to society, so who cares if they died. Sorry juan, but you have a lot of nerve to say that. And the rest of you guys just let him get away with it.

Now here are the facts:
At least 13 people were killed (not a few)
Over 30 were injured

The bombs were close enough to the swearing in, that the ceremony was cancelled and rescheduled.

4 Bombs went off near the Colombian Congress builing (near the inauguration place)At that time, military helicopters flew low to guard the area, and armored personnel vehicles with special patrols came on the scene and the area was cordoned off.

3 bombs went off earlier in the day near a a military academy

The air space was actually closed off, except for patrolling fighter jets because they had reports that a plane was going to crash the ceremony

OK, so now you have the facts. Not some silly inaccurate watered down version as to the events of that day. And this is the guy that people should believe when it comes to advise on security

Tinto, you especially....a man of details and facts, sit amazingly mum, knowing that Juancegomez was as far off in his description of the events that day as one can be

And GringoD.....your so funny ja ja. I never had any doubts about Desi't ability to look out for her safety. She is not a tourist. She knows where to go. She "knows" the ropes, if you will. There is a difference between Desi going to Cali, and a young gringa who has no family or close friends there, who decides to go visit and live in Cali for the first time in her life. If you are going to make comparisons, make ones that make sense.

Look, I go to Bogota because I know Bogota. I have family there. I stay for a few weeks..and I know for sure where to go and where not to go. I am not a risk taker and the chances of anything happening to me are about as remote as it gets.

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poco says on Feb 23, 2006, 00:47:

Correction (because what these specific FARC guys did was terrorism)

This is more accurate.
(because that is what FARC guys do, terrorism)

2002 Colombia Presidential Swearing in ceremony Just another day in Bogota,, but in comparison, things are much better today.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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ronald1168 says on Feb 23, 2006, 05:49:

Ley Seca I was there during the 2002 elections, only problem then was that you could not get any alcoholic drink for about 4 days. The Colombian authorities have this great "Ley Seca" law around all all elections


R. Donders
London
ronald at donders.co.uk

ronald@donders.co.uk

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