Within the framework of the launch of the new “Mission Cauca” strategy, President Gustavo Petro raised the possibility of implementing a state of exception to ensure the effective execution of public works in the regions affected by the armed conflict and illicit economies.
During his speech, Petro emphasized the difficulties faced in contracting projects in these areas due to extortion and threats from armed groups.
“And so, here you are, you have explored a series of works, projects, etc., I am not going to repeat them. I’m worried about how they are made, because I have already heard here about the various interventions that we hire. Yes, that is what is done in Bogotá,” said the president. Next, I take the opportunity to talk about a State of Exception.
”Would you consider a state of exception? Discuss it. “They already knocked me down when the children of La Guajira didn’t have water, but let’s discuss it,” the president emphasized.
Petro gave his experience on these issues as an example: “I already have experience. I would like someone to tell me, how is the stadium where I laid the first stone in Buenaventura? “The work is stopped.”
Continuing with the line of the Cauca works, the president “pulled the ears” of the Minister of Transportation, William Camargo, Well, he said that “If the Micay did not go to the sea, we would not be talking about the Micay. But the Micay goes to the sea and the sea is fundamental for the country. So who makes that road? The money is there. That’s called the national budget.”
He assured that if the Minister of transportation does not move the engineering battalion because the road is not built. “We are talking about a highway. The drug dealer does it. Then the drug traffickers are taking over the population. “If the drug traffickers win over the population, the children take up arms.”
The president highlighted the harsh reality faced by contractors, who are frequently victims of extortion by armed gangs that seek to appropriate the profits of public works.
This situation has led to the paralysis of several important projects, directly affecting the communities.
