Ángel

Ángel is a Venezuelan immigrant who relocated to Bogotá with limited resources, aiming to establish a small neighborhood store. Lacking credit history and access to traditional banking, he was forced to rely on informal lending practices known as "gota a gota," characterized by exorbitant interest rates and potentially dangerous repayment terms. These conditions hindered his business growth and created financial instability. Ángel's experience highlights the challenges faced by many immigrants and small business owners in accessing fair financial services and the risks associated with informal lending. His story is newsworthy as it exemplifies the struggles of economic integration and the need for alternative financial solutions for vulnerable populations. The article focuses on his initial struggles and the precarious situation he found himself in due to predatory lending practices.