In Colombia, the systematic disregard for legal and social norms raises concerns, from traffic violations to political irregularities. With over 7,000 annual road accident deaths that are largely preventable, this pattern extends across everyday life and the political sphere.
Colombian society grapples with a persistent challenge: the habitual crossing of the line between legal and illegal actions. A stark example is traffic rules, frequently ignored despite causing over 7,000 deaths annually, most due to preventable disobedience.
This behavior extends beyond roads. It appears in everyday acts like cutting in lines, dodging taxes, littering in improper places, and failing to separate household waste. In politics, the issue is particularly alarming. Past presidential campaigns were funded by dubious sources, including drug cartels, contracting clans, and criminal figures like “Papá Pitufo,” known as the contraband kingpin.
Today, these actors benefit from multimillion-dollar contracts and state perks, such as those in the Pacto de la Picota under the “Paz Total” policy, which provides leniency to former delinquents. This pattern of noncompliance is widespread across much of Latin America, contrasting sharply with the European Union's supranational integration.
Addressing it demands more than education, though improvements are needed in relevance, quality, and civic values training. Strengthening an independent judiciary is crucial to build public trust. The tragedies endured should rally the nation toward a shared goal: fostering a culture of legality to drive social and political development in a modern state.
