Leo, correspondent in BogotáName: Leonardo Rua Puerta
Location: Bogotá, Colombia
Age: 24
Which fellow countryman are you most proud of?
Of all Colombians in general, because of their strength. Despite of all the problems we have here, the armed conflict that never seems to end, people keep on smiling. They try to look at the future and stay positive.
If you would be able to export a characteristic of your people, what would it be?
The cultural diversity. I would like the world to get to know better our music and art, product of that diversity.
What is your image of Holland?
We have a very positive image of Holland here in Latin America. A small country, but very modern. I love the bikes and boats you have there.
What is your favourite spot?
The beach, because I love the sea.
Which politician would you like to interview, and why?
Our president. He is the man I hate the most in this world.
If you would be able to ban a characteristic of your people, what would it be?
Selfishness. Especially in the cities people are very selfish.
Who would you support to be the next president of the United States?
Obama. The Republicans have lost all credibility because of the war in Iraq. I would never vote for them.
If you could change one thing about your country, what would it be?
The government. Many parliamentarians are currently suspected of having relations with the paramilitaries or to be involved in drug trafficking.
What are you doing ten years from now?
I love film, so I hope that in ten years I will be still working with film.
What does the world think about America? In this special edition of Metropolis that was produced right before the 2008 presidential elections, we asked our correspondents to find stories that show how people in their country look at the USA. Despite the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Americans are still very popular in most parts of the world.We witness the many remarkable influences that America has on the world, from the first Harley Davidson Club in Shanghai to Obama-supporters in the Kenyan village Nyangoma- Kogelo, the hometown of Obama’s half-brother. He has mixed emotions about the successful campaign of his ‘Baby Brother’, as he calls Barack Obama. He thinks that his popularity is great for Kenya, but he despises the commercial exploitation of Obama’s portrait. Everywhere you look you will find T-Shirts and DVD’s of Barack Obama, and the salesmen make good money, while his family doesn’t receive anything.
