With uncertainty due to the presence of President Petro, the high government began a conclave in Paipa, Boyacá

Although President Gustavo Petro and his ministerial cabinet planned to analyze the general budget for 2025 at the meeting that takes place this weekend in Paipa, Boyacá, last Sunday’s marches were also included in the agenda.

The high government accepts that the massive mobilizations should be a reason for review. “We will look for a space to carry out political reflection in the face of the marches. It is an important issue,” acknowledged the Minister of the Interior, Luis Fernando Velasco.

Until now, in the Government there are two readings about what happened. On one side are those of the invitation to take note of the messages in which Velasco and Laura Sarabia, director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre), are located.

She wrote: “We must have the greatness to recognize that many people mobilized, that they did it with all the guarantees and were able to express their discontent. This is a week that as a government we must face in reflection and self-criticism.”

On another line are senior officials such as Gustavo Bolívar, director of the Department of Social Prosperity (DPS), who believes that it is difficult to establish dialogues with “cavemen,” as he described the marchers.

Be that as it may, the President has his sights set on the marches of this May 1st, in which he will participate.

“Besides, I believe that this meeting will be crucial to define the Government’s roadmap because we must take into account who is already entering the middle of his term,” says political scientist Armando Vargas.

Vargas’ opinion is shared in part by Ángel Tuírán Sarmiento, a professor at the Universidad del Norte. The Government will take advantage of the space to make a general reflection on the situation, the achievements and the challenges to come.

“The conclave or retreat of the President and his ministers in Paipa this weekend is important because It is expected that, in this, the Government will address and decide the actions or strategies to follow on several issues of importance for the country,” says the professor from Barranquilla.

Among these, mention the low percentages of budget execution, the filing of a new health system reform projectthe processing of the pension reform in the Chamber, the possible call for a constituent assembly, and the response to the citizen marches last Sunday the 21st.

“In summary, it is expected that this council of ministers will define the direction of the Government for the coming months,” he predicts.