Bogotá is not walking safely: The failed plan of Carlos Fernando Galán

Introduction

The Bogotá Safe Walks District Development Plan, in effect for the period 2024-2027 and presented by the administration of the current mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, established as its central focus the restoration of public trust and the guarantee of safe mobility and coexistence in public spaces. However, this text aims to address, as its main topics, security, the increase in violence against women, and the mismanagement of waste, from a public administration perspective, in order to highlight the non-compliance and poor implementation of the programs proposed in each of these areas.

The assessments and reports presented by the ProBogotá Region Foundation on the first year of the administration reveal significant shortcomings in the implementation of these programs, particularly regarding the reduction of violent crime and the protection of women. Although decreases have been reported in some types of theft, the city faces a worrying increase in extortion, homicides, and gender-based violence, as well as a greater sense of vulnerability in neighborhoods, on public transportation, and in other public spaces.

The persistence and increase in violence against women, coupled with the expansion of territorial control by criminal organizations and inadequate waste management, call into question the central message of a city that “walks safely.” In this sense, this analysis, developed from a public management perspective, seeks to evaluate the current situation in Bogotá regarding the proposed programs on security, gender, and the environment, highlighting their limitations and emphasizing how everyday safety—especially for women—remains an urgent debt for the district administration.

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Concepts

Security : “Security [...] as the condition of living free from fear and want. [...] encompasses a range of threats that can endanger the lives and well-being of people: environmental disasters, wars, community conflicts, food insecurity, political violence, threats to health, and crime (Dávila, L., n.d., pp. 12-13 as cited in United Nations Development Programme, 2014, p. 5)

Violence against women : “This type of violence has serious physical, economic and psychological consequences for women and girls, both in the short and long term, by preventing them from participating fully and on an equal footing in society (UN Women, 2024).

Public Management : “It is the process in which resources are managed, decisions are made and results are evaluated to achieve the goals of the State in an efficient, transparent and fair manner” (Pontifical Javeriana University. 2025).

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Security

Regarding the topic of security, which is part of objective 1 of the District Development Plan, entitled “Bogotá moves forward with security,” several plans were developed. However, program 3, aimed at “dismantling criminal and delinquent structures with superior capabilities and technological assets” (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, p. 70), was taken as the priority for analysis.

According to the program's description, the need for its planning stems from the rise in organized crime, manifested in increased drug trafficking, extortion, contract killings, and theft, concentrated in areas such as Ciudad Bolívar, Kennedy, and Bosa. Thus, in response to this situation, the "Bogotá Walks Safely" Plan aims to dismantle criminal structures through strengthened inter-institutional coordination, the use of technology and artificial intelligence, and the decentralization of police monitoring for more effective surveillance (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, pp. 108-113).

The program's objective is to improve crime prevention, response, and investigation, consolidating a safer city and metropolitan region by strengthening the C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Computing Center) and implementing the Comprehensive Security, Coexistence and Justice Plan (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, pp.108-113).

Source: ABC of the District Development Plan, 2024.

Among the established goals, he proposed a reduction in the homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants to 8, currently standing at 13.6; as well as a reduction in the number of extortion complaints to 1,374, currently standing at 1,527.

However, when reviewing the figures presented in the Annual Security Report prepared by the ProBogotá Region Foundation (2024), and comparing them with the Annual Security Report in Bogotá and Colombia prepared by the Bogotá councilman, Julián Espinosa (2024), it is observed that the goals projected by the program were not met, since the homicide and extortion indicators maintained an upward trend in the analyzed period.

Even within the Report on the analysis of results of citizen participation, phase 1 “Citizen Sentiments”, presented by the Mayor's Office of Bogotá (2024), no type of analysis of results regarding the reduction of crime or serious offenses can be observed; it simply mentions briefly that “the high priority given to civic culture indicates a recognition by the citizens of the importance of civic responsibility and citizen behavior in the construction of a cohesive and harmonious society” (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024).

Source: Bogotá City Council, 2024

The above is supported by the results shown in both reports, which show that, although the program and the objective were focused on the reduction of crime and homicides, the reality is completely contrary, since by the year 2024 the highest number of homicides in recent years per 100,000 inhabitants would have been recorded: in 2023 it was 13.4, which, during the management of the mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, managed to increase to 15 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, failing to meet the goal set by his administration (Espinosa, Councilor of Bogotá, p. 11, 2024).

Furthermore, most of these homicides have resulted from conflicts between criminal organizations, settling of scores, and territorial disputes over illegal income. Some of these figures are even linked to exponential increases in intolerance (ProBogotá Región, 2024).

According to the analysis, this situation will not be different in the coming years, since to meet the goal in 2027 a reduction of 41.9% would have to be achieved by 2025 compared to 2024, which, it is mentioned, is highly improbable (Espinosa, Councilor of Bogotá, p. 11, 2024).

Source: El Colombiano, 2025

On the other hand, while crimes such as theft from individuals, residences, and financial institutions showed a significant reduction compared to 2023, other crimes such as extortion showed a particularly serious increase of 63%, establishing itself as another of the shortcomings of the current administration regarding the goals set and its effort to improve security in the city.

In short, despite the fact that the defining characteristic of the District Development Plan has been security, the figures show that, however much this has been one of its weaknesses, as well as in terms of technology and monitoring, none of these strategies have had a positive impact on the statistics. While there was a decrease in theft, violent crimes, as well as crime and homicides, registered a significant increase. That is to say, in terms of human security, Bogota residents are not living free from fear or threats, according to Dávila's definition (n.d.). This is a worrying situation: even the slogan of the District Development Plan championed the idea of a city that "walks safely," and yet, paradoxically, today it registers the highest homicide rate in the last eight years.

Violence against women

Regarding the issue of violence against women, included in Objective 1 of the District Development Plan, entitled “Bogotá Moves Forward with Security,” several plans were developed. However, Program 2, entitled “Zero Tolerance for Violence Against Women and Gender-Based Violence” (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, p. 86), was taken as the priority for analysis.

The need for this program arises from the persistence and increase of violence against women in Bogotá, reflected in the fact that more than 50% of assessments for non-fatal violence between 2019 and 2023 correspond to women, in addition to the 40% increase in femicides between 2020 and 2023. This situation highlights the institutional limitations in terms of care and protection, as well as the urgency of strengthening district action in prevention and justice (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, pp.86-90).

The program's objective is to guarantee women's right to a life free from violence, strengthening the Public Policy on Women and Gender Equity through prevention, comprehensive care, and effective access to justice. It relies on services such as the Purple Line, the Women's Agency, and Victim Assistance Centers, coordinating intersectoral efforts to create safe and violence-free environments for women in all spaces (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, pp. 86-90).

Source: ABC of the District Development Plan, 2024

Among the goals established by the Mayor of Bogotá in the ABCs of the District Development Plan (2024), several key points were outlined, including reducing homicides of female victims from 89 to 62 cases, and decreasing the number of female victims of personal injury from 8,225 to 7,403 cases. However, a review of the data source used by the Mayor's Office itself—the SIEDCO (Statistical, Criminal, Contraventional, and Operational Information System of the National Police)—reveals a clear discrepancy. Although the District Development Plan set a target of reducing homicides to 62, 2024 ended with 116 cases, and by September 2025, 81 had already been recorded.

Regarding personal injuries, inconsistencies are also observed. The ABC of the District Development Plan (2024) reported a baseline of 8,225 cases, but the SIEDCO (Integrated System for the Investigation of Crimes Against Children and Adolescents) actually recorded 8,524 cases for 2023. Furthermore, 8,129 cases were reported for 2024, representing a slight decrease compared to the projected figures. These figures demonstrate the administration's difficulty in implementing the plan and its failure to meet the objectives set by Carlos Fernando Galán.

Cases of domestic violence, Bogotá (2015-2024)

Source: Bogotá City Council, 2024

According to the Report on the Analysis of Results of Citizen Participation, Phase 1, “Citizen Sentiments” (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024), the well-being of women and the reduction of gender-based violence have been prioritized in both urban and rural environments through differentiated and contextualized approaches. However, according to the Annual Security Report, these efforts have not translated into concrete results. On the contrary, violence against women has increased, with a 34% rise in sexual offenses and a 15% increase in domestic violence, as shown in the graph, reflecting the persistence of a structural problem. Furthermore, homicides of female victims remain a critical phenomenon, fueled by impunity and the lack of effective protection for victims (ProBogotá Region, 2024, p. 108).

Regarding the territorial distribution, the localities most affected by domestic violence, according to the Annual Security Report (2024), are Los Mártires, which registered a 147.8% increase in reports; Teusaquillo, with 120.7%; and La Candelaria, with 115.4% more cases. Meanwhile, sexual offenses were concentrated in La Candelaria, with a 168.2% increase, followed by Teusaquillo, with 143.4%, and Chapinero, with 122.9% more cases than in 2023 (Pro Bogotá, 2024, p. 72).

In summary, although the District Development Plan seeks to guarantee women's right to a life free from violence and strengthen support and prevention mechanisms through the program, the figures reveal a discouraging reality. The actions implemented have not been effective in achieving a safe Bogotá for women. A lack of inter-institutional coordination persists, along with barriers to accessing justice and persistent impunity that hinder their effective protection. This situation not only reflects shortcomings in the implementation of security and gender strategies, but also structural problems that have perpetuated violence against women and its normalization in various contexts. Consequently, a more coherent approach is needed, with effective actions and tangible results that comprehensively and sustainably address the needs of women in Bogotá.

Waste management

Regarding the topic of waste management, which is addressed in objective 4 of the District Development Plan, entitled “Bogotá organizes its territory,” numerous plans were developed. However, priority was given to the program focused on “Urban and rural revitalization and renewal with inclusion” (Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 2024, p. 221).

According to the diagnosis, Bogotá faces a significant deficit in its livable environment due to population growth, the expansion of informal urban settlements, and a lack of sustainable planning. As a result, many public spaces are deteriorated and have become waste accumulation points or breeding grounds for illegal activities, affecting the perception of safety and weakening the social fabric. This situation demands strengthening the relationship between citizens and public space, promoting environmental sustainability, community co-responsibility, and more efficient waste management.

The program aims to revitalize the targeted urban and rural areas, ensuring the continued presence and quality of life of their original residents through sustainable projects that integrate eco-urbanism, responsible waste management, energy efficiency, and climate change adaptation. It also seeks to advance the renaturalization of the territory, preserve cultural heritage, and promote citizen participation and inter-institutional collaboration to create clean, safe, and livable public spaces.

Source: ABC of the District Development Plan, 2024.

Among the goals established by the Mayor in the ABCs of the District Development Plan (2024), a reduction in waste disposal at the Doña Juana Innovation Park was set, with a target of 4,800 tons per day. However, according to data from the Doña Juana Waste Management Center (CGR) and the National Planning Department (DNP), this goal is far from being met: the city currently produces between 8,000 and 9,000 tons of waste per day, exceeding 3 million tons annually. As a result, 732 critical garbage accumulation points persist in the city, concentrated mainly in Engativá, Kennedy, Suba, and Bosa, which represent hotspots of unsanitary conditions and environmental risk (Infobae, 2025).

Amount of garbage in tons in Bogotá, 1910-2000

Source: La Silla Vacía, 2025

Experts like Frank Molano Camargo, a professor at the District University, point out that Bogotá continues to operate under a neoliberal environmental regime, where privatized waste management and dependence on the Doña Juana landfill—a technology inherent to this model—have hindered the transition to more sustainable systems. This assertion is evidenced in the graph, which shows a steady increase in the historical trend of waste production (La Silla Vacía, 2025).

The above is also related to the absence of clear alternatives for final disposal, which keeps Doña Juana —listed by organizations such as Greenpeace (2024) as an “environmental time bomb”— in a state of saturation that compromises its operational capacity and hinders key processes such as material recovery and recycling.

Taken together, poor waste management and the persistence of an inefficient model have led Bogotá to face an environmental and health crisis. Various analyses describe the city as an “open-air garbage dump,” reflecting the impact of strategies that have been neither sufficient nor appropriate to advance the revitalization of public spaces, guarantee quality of life, promote responsible resource management, or ensure minimum conditions of human safety. Currently, the city continues to lack a clean, sustainable, and dignified environment for its inhabitants.

Recommendations

• Conduct a more thorough and transparent analysis of the results : The district report does not present a real analysis, but only a presentation of data, without any in-depth explanation of the results. Furthermore, the issue of crime is barely addressed, if at all.

• Implementing a change in strategies and action plans: While the goal was to dismantle organized crime, this phenomenon has actually contributed to an 11% increase in the homicide rate. Crimes such as extortion have also risen significantly, by 63%. Therefore, it is recommended to analyze the tools currently used in the program's implementation, as the results are far from the intended goals and record numbers of homicides are being recorded. There is a pressing need for a critical review and a rethinking of the actions taken.

• Developing better strategies for women's protection : With a view to denormalizing violence and transforming social structures to guarantee safe spaces for women, authorities must be able to respond effectively and restore victims' trust in institutions.

• Rethinking the waste collection and management model : The Doña Juana Innovation Park has proven to be part of an inefficient, overcrowded, and environmentally unfriendly model. A transition to a system and a site with greater capacity, more sustainability, and improved efficiency is urgently needed. Bogotá cannot continue to be overwhelmed by waste due to mismanagement perpetuated by ineffective actions.

In conclusion, the goals set forth in the District Development Plan “Bogotá Walks Safely” have been established in key sectors for the city, but they have not been met. This demonstrates poor public management by the current administration in critical areas for the capital. There is an urgent need to redesign relevant and efficient strategies to ensure a dignified life for the citizens of Bogotá. In terms of timing, and firstly, there is evidence of continued failure to meet goals related to security, violence against women, and waste management. This is due not only to a lack of transparent accountability, but also to the current administration's continued use of an ineffective model and the implementation of strategies ill-suited to protecting women and guaranteeing human security.

In the long term, Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán is likely to continue with an unfavorable image and may even face difficulties in continuing his administration. Although his plan outlines hundreds of goals, the reality is that he has failed to implement effective policies, generating discontent among the city's residents. Finally, it is crucial to reflect on the strategies employed: it is imperative to discard inefficient actions that do not produce results. Rethinking new models and approaches will be the solution to the crisis the city is experiencing.

References

Mayor's Office of Bogotá. 2024. ABCs of the District Development Plan “Bogotá Walks Safely.”. ( https://www.sdp.gov.co/sites/default/files/generales/abc_plan_desarrollo-distrital.pdf )

Mayor's Office of Bogotá. 2024. Bogotá Walks Safely: District Development Plan (2024-2027). ( https://www.movilidadbogota.gov.co/web/sites/default/files/Paginas/16-07-2024/20240526_proyecto_bases_pdd_2024-2027_2.pdf )

Mayor's Office of Bogotá. 2024. Report on the Analysis of Results of Citizen Participation Phase 1 “Citizen Sentiments.”. ( https://www.sdp.gov.co/sites/default/files/anexo_2_-_informe_resultado_fase_i_de_participacion_pdd.pdf )

Bogotá City Councilor Julián Espinosa. 2024. Annual Report on Security in Bogotá and Colombia. ( https://concejodebogota.gov.co/cbogota/site/artic/20250203/asocfile/20250203082639/informe_anual_de_seguridad_bogot___colombia_concejal_espinosa_1_compressed.pdf )

Bogotá City Council. (2024, October 9). Domestic Violence Alert: 2024 Has Been the Year with the Most Cases Recorded in Bogotá's Recent History [Web Article]. https://concejodebogota.gov.co/alerta-por-violencia-intrafamiliar-en-bogota-2024-ha-sido-el-ano-con/cbogota/2024-10-09/152147.php

Dávila, Luis Felipe. nd. “Concepts and Approaches to Security”. ( https://www.pensamientopenal.com.ar/system/files/2015/01/doctrina40562.pdf )

El Colombiano. (May 22, 2024). Reports of extortion reached their highest level in the last decade in Colombia. https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/DENUNCIAS-POR-EXTORSIONES-LLEGARON-A-CIFRA-MAS-ALTA-EN-10-ANOS-PRIMERO-CUATRO-MESES-ANO-AH24541441

Garzón, C. (2024, August 30). Bogotá's garbage regime is in crisis. La Silla Vacía. https://www.lasillavacia.com/silla-academica/el-regimen-de-basura-de-bogota-esta-en-crisis/

Greenpeace Colombia. (September 16, 2024). Doña Juana Landfill: A Time Bomb for Communities and the Environment. https://www.greenpeace.org/colombia/noticia/campanas/contaminacion/relleno-sanitario-dona-juana-una-bomba-de-tiempo-para-las-comunidades-y-el-ambiente/

Infobae. (September 9, 2025). Garbage crisis in Bogotá: recall process announced against Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán for mismanagement. https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2025/09/09/crisis-de-basuras-en-bogota-anuncian-proceso-de-revocatoria-del-alcalde-carlos-fernando-galan-por-deficiencia-en-su-gestion/

UN Women. 2024. “Frequently Asked Questions: Types of Violence Against Women and Girls | UN Women.” Retrieved November 11, 2025 ( https://www.unwomen.org/es/articulos/preguntas-frecuentes/preguntas-frecuentes-tipos-de-violencia-contra-las-mujeres-y-las-ninas ).

National Police of Colombia. (n.d.). Crime Statistics. ( https://www.policia.gov.co/estadistica-delictiva ).

Pontifical Javeriana University, Center for Government and Public Management Studies (CEGGP). (2025, November 5). Government and public management: what it is and how to practice it. https://cpri.javeriana.edu.co/w/blog/que-es-gobierno-gestion-publica

Pro Bogotá Region. 2024. Annual Security Report 2024. ( https://www.probogota.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Informe-Anual-de-Seguridad-2024.pdf )