A Protest in Crimson

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — This is a bit of a late post, but I’ve been incredibly busy with applying for some fellowships and trying to find a new place to live. But to back up, on Jan. 10, Bogotá’s embattled mayor, Gustavo Petro, called for a show of support as he fought removal from office by Inspector General Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado. In December, Ordóñez ordered the removal of Petro for his mismanagement the reform of the city’s waste removal system. Petro was further banned from politics for 15 years. Many in Colombia have considered this decision an overreach on Ordóñez’s part and undemocratic.

The battle has been fought in Colombia’s courts and on the streets, particularly in Plaza de Bolívar, where thousands gathered on a seemingly weekly basis to protest the inspector general’s decision. Adding to the confusion, Petro is facing an April 6 recall vote — which he probably would have lost if Ordóñez hadn’t turned him into a political martyr. And various court rulings have stayed the inspector general’s ruling, meaning that Petro is facing both removal from office by the voters and an unelected official, who all say is a political enemy of anyone on the left in Colombia.

Anyway, it’s a mess. But here are some pictures from one of the larger rallies. I hope you enjoy them.

Police shields and their wielders stand ready on Ave Septima in Bogotá. Crowds protesting the removal of Bogotá mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year, were streaming into the Plaza de Simon de Bolivar on Jan 10, 2014 to protest his removal. The dismissal of Petro has polarized Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

Juan David Fernandez, 16, of Bogotá, gets painted by a friend at a protest against the removal of Bogotá Mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year. The dismissal of Petro has polarize Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

Juan David Fernandez, 16, of Bogotá, protests against the removal of Bogotá Mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year. The dismissal of Petro has polarize Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

Cops in riot gear look over the growing crowd protesting the removal of Bogotá mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year, in the Plaza de Simon de Bolivar on Jan 10, 2014. The dismissal of Petro has polarized Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

Handmade signs were evident throughout the rally

Juan David Fernandez, 16, of Bogotá, protests against the removal of Bogotá Mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year. The dismissal of Petro has polarize Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

A drumming act was part of the day’s entertainment

Street artists march on Ave Septima in Bogotá on Jan 10, 2014 in protest of the removal of the city’s mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year. The dismissal of Petro has polarized Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

Some protesters used the day to catch up on the latest news

A protestor greets riot cops on Ave Septima in Bogotá on Jan 10, 2014 as part of a protest of the removal of the city’s mayor Gustavo Petro, who was ousted by Colombia’s Inspector General in December last year. The dismissal of Petro has polarized Colombia and caused those on the political left to express fears for the future of democracy in the Andean nation.

Given Petro’s background with the leftist guerrilla group M-19, the imagery of revolution was abundant.

A Petro supporter grins as he surveys the scene