Expat Community > Colombia

huepucha
Joined 2022
Posts: 464

La Guarda Rica

1 year ago

The other day I was driving past the Terminal in Cali when a Guarda de Transito pulled up alonside and told me to pull over. Reviewing my documents he pointed out my SOAT was expired. I was shocked. Somehow I had forgotten to renew it when I renewed my todo riezgo insurence due at the same time. He said the infraction involved towing the car to the patio. I asked if I could colaborar and he held up his cel phone with the number 300 on the screen. Of course I paid and got my car out of Cali safely. But what I remain curious about is why he picked me out of moving traffic. Did he arbitrarily run my plate and see I was overdue or what?

I have some guys working for me and one of them told me he made an illegal turn and got pulled over. He didn't have cash on him to pay the "colaboración" but the Guarda said no problem you can make a transferecia on your phone with Nequi. Sheez!!! Talk about organized corruption! I have never talked wiith anyone who was confronted by a guarda for an infraction who was refused the offer of a "colaboración". These Guarda must make at least their salary in sobornos every month. What a system! Of course I'm not complaining. Their bite is far less than the multa plus the grua plus the patio plus all the damage that can happen to your car there. Another facet that must be quickly learned by any newcomers to Colombia who drive a vehicle.

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