For the first time, a woman conquers the city hall of Bogota, one of the largest Latin American cities, with the environmental party Alianza Verde.
Claudia Lopez, homosexual and symbol of the fight against corruption: she is the first woman elected as mayor of Bogotà, Colombia. For the first time, a woman conquers the city hall of the capital of one of the largest Latin American cities. Running with the environmental party Alianza Verde, defeated the right-wing candidate Carlos Fernando Galan.
Advertising herself as "incorruptible," 49-year-old Claudia Lopez has promised to put more police officers on the street to improve safety, fight child labor and teenage pregnancy, and expand educational opportunities for adults over 45.
Approximately 36,6 million people were eligible to vote 32 governors, over 1.000 mayors, and thousands of regional and local legislative positions.
"Not only have we won, but we are changing history," said Claudia Lopez in a tweet. Her victory actually opens a new chapter in a Colombia traditionally run by men of liberal and conservative elites.
With a degree in Finance and International Relations from the Universidad Externado in Bogotà, a Masters in Public Administration and Urban Policy from Columbia University in New York and a PhD in Political Science from Northwestern Chicago, López has consolidated has attracted a large chunk of it. of voters thanks to its anti-corruption agenda and popularity among the electricians and the capital's LGTB community.
It also promised to follow up on many large-scale infrastructure projects for the city, including the elevated electric subway:
"The metro has won and one based on a multimodal system that will free us from traffic blockages and contamination," he said.
López's victory is hailed as a rebuke by Bogota voters from traditional political parties. In his election speech, López reiterated his promise to guarantee students free higher education and fight intolerance and xenophobia.
López's victory is also a triumph for Bogotá's large LGBT community and during his election speech he thanked his partner Angélica Lozano for “being the love of my life and making me happy every day“.
The new mayor also spoke of her vision of Bogotá as a city that “is not hurt, divided or polarized. Bogotá has now chosen a life story, a trajectory and a leadership style to govern for the well-being of all, ”she said.
So good work Claudia!
We set ourselves three goals: inspire, unite and win.
We have achieved it and we are making history! Thank you for trusting this team.#ClaudiaAlcaldesa#ClaudiaNuestraAlcaldesa https://t.co/72MPnJ2FdP
— Claudia Lopez (@ClaudiaLopez) October 27, 2019
Read also:
- Aminetou Ely, the former child bride who fights and defends Mauritanian women from domestic and sexual violence
- Thelma Cabrera: Guatemala's first indigenous woman to run for president
Germana Carillo
cover photo
