Transparency International, the nongovernmental organisation
based in Germany, defines corruption as the misuse of public power for private
benefit. The organisation's most recent version of its Corruption Perceptions
Index also states that the failure to significantly control corruption is
fueling a global crisis in democracy.
Colombia is perceived to be the most corrupt country in the
world, according to U.S. News' 2020 Best Countries rankings, a characterization
of 73 countries based on a survey of more than 20,000 global citizens.
In the survey, respondents answered how closely they related
each of the countries to the term "corrupt," the exact meaning of
which was left to their own interpretation. The attribute is factored into the
Best Countries rankings for transparency, as well as the best countries to
invest in and headquarter a corporation.
Colombia, which sees an estimated $14 billion a year in
corruption-related costs, experienced a wave of anti-government protests
starting at the end of November. A new set of strikes could ensue after protest
leaders meet with government officials later this month.
While the country is known for its decades of political
scandals, voters recently elected Claudia López, a member of Colombia's green
party and a prominent activist, as the mayor of Bogota. López is the first
woman and openly gay individual to become mayor of Colombia's capital city.
Mexico, known for its deadly drug cartels, follows Colombia
as the No. 2 most corrupt country in the 2020 ranking. Ghana, Myanmar,
Guatemala, Saudia Arabia, Brazil, Kenya and Bolivia also made the top 10.
Bolivia's interim government announced in January that it will investigate
nearly 600 former officials who worked under Evo Morales, who resigned from his
presidency in November.
Russia, which has been accused of election meddling and
Olympic doping, joins the top 10 list this year after placing No. 12 in 2019.
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