Guarneño Raúl Zuletacartoonist for the newspaper El Espectador, was crowned winner in the “Caricature” category of the prestigious Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award for his work Corruption tankers.
In this cartoon, Zuleta addresses the corruption scandal related to the purchase of 40 tank trucks by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd)intended to supply water to La Guajira. The purchase was marked by alleged irregularities, sparking widespread outrage across the country.
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The contest jury highlighted that Zuletawith a single image, was able to capture not only the waste of public resources, but also the social impact of this act of corruption on the affected communities. The cartoon, which connects the absurdity of the situation with popular indignation, showed how corruption “floods the pockets of nefarious and smiling thieves” while thousands of peasants continue without receiving the promised water.
This is the cartoon with which Zuleta obtained Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award-The Spectator.
Tank Cars of Corruption was published on March 3, 2024 and it quickly became an emblematic work of denunciation. In addition to the Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award, Zuleta received an Honorable Mention this year in the Journalism Awards of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA). His work continues to be a reference in graphic journalism, with cartoons published four times a week for the medium he works for.
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How do you think your experience as a journalist has influenced your approach to creating impactful cartoons on societal issues?
Questions for the guests:
1. Congratulations on your recent win at the Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award! Can you tell us more about your entry, “Corruption Tankers,” and what inspired you to create this particular piece?
2. How do you feel about using cartoons as a tool for journalism and commentary on societal issues? Do you think it’s an effective way to reach a wider audience or do you think it has limitations?
3. The corruption scandal surrounding the purchase of water tankers in La Guajira has garnered a lot of attention in Colombia. How can visual media, like your cartoon, contribute to shining a light on these kinds of issues?
4. As a cartoonist, how do you balance the need to convey strong messages with maintaining artistic integrity? Are there any particular challenges you face in this regard?
5. What role do you think awards like the Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award play in recognizing and promoting investigative journalism in Latin America?
6. Can you tell us about some of your other works that have received recognition or made an impact on Colombian society?
7. The theme of corruption seems to be a recurring one in your cartoons. Why do you think it’s such a pervasive issue in Colombia, and what can be done to address it?
8. Do you have any advice for aspiring journalists or artists who want to use their work to make a difference in their communities or countries?
