"I arrived during the crisis": Katya Acuña, caught between the uprooting experienced by Nicaraguans and the dream of starting a business in Colombia.

The Nicaraguan anthropologist Katya Acuña Rodríguez founded "El Bochinche" after emigrating to Colombia due to the political crisis in Nicaragua. (Photo: taken from Confidencial.digital) Katya Acuña Rodríguez arrived in Bogotá in 2018, escaping the repression and political violence in Nicaragua. Her journey in Colombia began amidst labor uncertainty and a desire to find a sense of belonging and community. This personal process, years later, led to the opening of "El Bochinche," a cultural bar-cafe that opened its doors in August 2025 in the city center. The establishment quickly became a reference point for women, migrants, and gender dissidents. The transformation of the space far exceeded expectations: the initial investment, estimated at 20 million Colombian pesos, ended up being 70 million (approximately USD 18,000), a figure achieved through loans from friends and family. Acuña, originally from Estelí, emigrated after receiving a scholarship for a master's degree in Psychology, while Nicaragua was experiencing a deep crisis. "I came during the crisis. The country was practically on fire," she told Confidencial.digital. After graduating, she worked in international cooperation, but the instability of the sector and the cuts made by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2025 led her to seek new horizons. Together with her partner, Andrea Montes Vargas, and Andrea's daughter, Valentina Padilla Montes, she decided to start a business in the restaurant industry, combining a passion for gastronomy and music. The concept of "El Bochinche" emerged from the goal of creating a place where Nicaraguan culture could blend with artistic expressions and a sense of identity. The name was chosen for its meaning of gathering and joy in both Nicaragua and Colombia. The menu includes organic specialty coffee and typical Nicaraguan dishes, challenging the idea that these flavors would not be accepted in Bogotá. "They told me that this wouldn't be eaten here, that it wouldn't work, but I insisted," Acuña said. The opening of the venue in August 2025 brought together more than 140 people, a success achieved thanks to promotion on social media. (Photo: taken from Confidencial.digital) The opening, on August 20, 2025, was an unexpected success: more than 140 people responded to the invitation, driven by Valentina Padilla's activity on social media. The venue adapts its hours to the routine of downtown Bogotá, operating as a cafe from Monday to Wednesday and as a bar from Thursday to Saturday evenings. From its inception, "El Bochinche" has been defined as a feminist and inclusive space. The team is primarily composed of women, with the presence of people with disabilities and single mothers. Posters and messages in the venue reinforce the commitment to safety and diversity: "We promote a safe space for women and gender dissidents, free from discrimination and for all identities. Many transgender people, lesbian women, and people of African descent come here. They know that we will not allow any form of abuse or discrimination," Acuña explained to Confidencial.digital. The cultural agenda includes independent film cycles, women's DJ nights, and discussions in partnership with social organizations, consolidating the venue as a dynamic and plural space. Acuña and her team's proposal demonstrates how migration can transform the urban environment, creating support networks and spaces of belonging in the midst of economic and social challenges.