Uber announced Friday it is ending its services in Colombia next month after losing a case brought by taxi drivers for alleged unfair business practices. “In accordance with the surprising verdict … from last December 20, from midnight on February 1, 2020, Uber will cease to work in Colombia,” said a company statement. This legal loophole meant Uber could pay tax and was authorized to advertise, but its drivers could be sanctioned by police. Uber – founded in 2009 – arrived in Colombia in 2013 but taxi owners and unions have repeatedly protested in the streets against it and similar competitors, who they claim steal their work. For example, Uber does not operate in Spain’s northeast Catalonia region, Bulgaria, Hungary, Denmark or northern Australia.

Source: Punch January 10, 2020 20:15 UTC