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Alejandro Char highlights Barranquilla's transformation as the city hosts the Inter-American Development Bank's Network of Cities

Alejandro Char, the mayor of Barranquilla, presented the city's 18-year transformation process during a meeting of Latin American and Caribbean mayors hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank. Char noted that Barranquilla has evolved from a bankrupt state into a regional development model, diversifying its economy into industry, commerce, gastronomy, and tourism. He highlighted infrastructure projects such as the Gran Malecón, the Ecoparque Ciénaga de Mallorquín, and the beaches of Puerto Mocho, which were developed using district resources. President Abelardo De La Espriella chose Barranquilla as a primary venue for national activities, a move Char attributed to the president's desire to show the country's development potential. Char stated that while Bogotá serves as the alternate capital, Barranquilla is currently the capital of the country. During the event, Juan Pablo Bonilla of the Inter-American Development Bank noted that Barranquilla serves as a success story for over 50 cities from more than 20 countries participating in the reunion. Bonilla observed that the current administration has a clear mandate to work from the cities, with the president setting an example by being present in Barranquilla.

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