Cartagena's Horse Carriages Face Modern Makeover

Cartagena, a beautiful city in Colombia, is known for its historic charm and iconic horse-drawn carriages. These carriages have been a major part of the city's tourism for many years, offering tourists a unique way to explore the city's colonial architecture and vibrant streets. However, the city government has decided to replace these traditional carriages with electric buggies, citing concerns about animal welfare and the desire to modernize the city. The decision has sparked a heated debate between horse carriage owners, traditionalists, and animal rights activists. Horse carriage owners argue that the carriages are a vital part of Cartagena's heritage and that the city should not rush to replace them. They also express concerns about their livelihoods and the lack of clear plans for their future. On the other hand, animal rights activists point out that the carriages are harmful to the horses. They argue that the horses are often overworked, stressed by traffic, and injured by the paved roads. Fanny Pachon, a local activist, has witnessed horses collapsing from exhaustion, highlighting the urgent need for change.Alejandro Riaño, a comedian from Bogota, has been advocating for the replacement of horse carriages for years. He successfully raised funds to create a prototype of an electric buggy that resembles the traditional carriages but runs on battery power. The city government has finally taken action and will ban traditional horse-drawn carriages starting December 29, replacing them with 62 electric buggies imported from China. The new electric buggies are designed to look like the traditional carriages, with large wheels and open tops. They are powered by large batteries that can travel about 70 kilometers on a single charge. The buggies also come with speakers that can play music or mimic the sound of a horse's gallop. While the city government sees this as a step towards modernization and animal welfare, horse carriage owners are worried about their future. They feel that the government is pushing them out of their business without adequate compensation or a clear plan. The city government has offered to share profits from the new electric buggies, but no agreement has been reached yet. The city is investing around 2 million dollars in the new fleet of electric buggies and a solar-powered charging station. However, the success of the new buggies remains to be seen. Some carriage drivers are willing to adapt and apply for jobs driving the new electric buggies, while others are skeptical about the tourists' reception of the new vehicles.