Expat interest in politics in Colombia

Bhavna wrote:

Are there any precautionary measures to observe during election period in your host country? Any local prohibitions?

A couple of years ago, I found out the hard way that Colombia closes international borders several days before an election and through the election period.

It was a Thursday evening when they closed the Colombia-Ecuador border at 6 p.m.  I was caught on the Ecuador side south of Ipiales, Colombia, shortly after six.  All my stuff including medicines was on the Colombia side where I was staying at a hotel.

I explained my situation to a border official who had me wait while he talked to his superiors.  A few minutes later he gave me the go ahead and I walked the short distance back to Colombia.

The border was closed from Thursday to Sunday that weekend.

cccmedia

Also note that now Colombia-wide (whereas before it was left to local jurisdictions), during elections the "ley seca" (dry law) will be in effect - no alcohol to be sold for a specified period before and during the elections:

https://www.lafm.com.co/colombia/comien … elecciones

As far as discussing politics, except with perhaps close family, I'd skip that...in Colombia people can and do get downright violent with those with whom they disagree politically - perhaps driven by the inequalities between rich and poor which are so evident in everyday life, and often by the second-class citizen status of indigenous peoples in many areas.  You have factions from all across the political spectrum, more active than, say, in the United States - people who advocate Cuba-style and Venezuela-style socialism/dictatorships, people who generally want the government more involved in everything, and many people who believe in "free stuff" that of course never turns out to be free...only a few even attempt to understand how markets and economies work.  There are very few who will understand that a "black market" is actually a "free market"...