Born in Colombia (1952) of Lithuanian parents, Mockus is a mathematician and philosopher with degrees from the University of Bourgogne and the National University of Colombia, where he worked as a professor and researcher since 1975. He has also been the National University’s vice-president and president. He served as mayor of Bogotá for two, non-consecutive, terms, during which he became known for humorous initiatives and campaigns, such as taking a shower in a commercial about conserving water or walking the streets dressed in spandex and a cape as Supercitizen, to promote non-violence. During his two terms as mayor of Bogotá, Mockus earned a reputation as an unconventional and honest leader, a pacifist who believes in adherence to the law, transparency, education, and environmental protection. He also made strides in urban planning to greatly reduce the transportation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions through the installation of over 300 kilometers of bike paths, pedestrian bridges, and a highly efficient bus route known as the Transmilenio.
A pro-Mockus political commercial focusing on diversity (see below), stresses the Green Party’s emphasis on unity and team work, adherence to the constitution, respect for public resources, the power of education, reparation, gender equality and equal opportunity, a non-discriminatory Colombia, “clean” politics, non-violence, and most of all, change.