BOGOTA, Colombia, Jumada I 27, 1437, March 07, 2016, SPA -- Colombia has fined the app-based taxi service Uber for providing unauthorized transportation services, according to AP. The South American country fined Uber the equivalent of $140,000 Monday for failing to comply with local transportation regulations. Uber responded in a statement saying it's been relentlessly hounded in Colombia for exercising constitutionally protected rights, but would continue to operate in the country. Uber offers services in 11 Colombian cities. It is widely seen as a safer alternative to hailing a cab off the street. In Colombia as elsewhere, traditional taxi drivers have resisted the arrival of Uber, and say the company competes unfairly. Bogota's taxi driver association says the fine is important, but does not go far enough. --SPA 22:25 LOCAL TIME 19:25 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w