Delegates captivate Duque at his departure and provide necessary support to President-elect, Gustavo Petro, to push through reforms
Colombia’s outgoing president, Iván Duque, received a turbulent farewell in what was his final speech to Congress. The booing and insults at the ceremony that kicked off the legislature, unusual for the first time the left had the leading voice, summed up the tensions of the past four years. The new cycle, with the Senate and House of Representatives in the hands of the progressive forces and the conservatives turned into opposition, started this Thursday with the promise of “change” and the “major reforms” Gustavo Petro must undertake to start from next year. August 7, when he assumes the head of state.
While the Historic Pact, the coalition of the president-elect, did not achieve a sufficient majority in the last election to enact legislation, the alliances it has forged in recent weeks with progressive and centrist forces will allow it to do so comfortably. to do. In Congress inaugurated this Thursday, Petro will enjoy the support of 78 out of 108 senators and 136 out of 186 representatives in the House to push through his controversial tax and agrarian reform.
“Social justice can be done in the countryside, without expropriation or prejudice”, was one of the arrows that Duque launched during his speech to his successor. The report immediately sparked furious protests that led to the Senate Board of Directors calling for order in the Capitol’s Elliptical Hall. But spirits were already heated enough in the left-wing caucus, which for several seconds forced the interruption of the ceremony by rising from their seats and shouting “liar” at the president in unison as he exonerated his government from any responsibility in the killings of social leaders, which exceed a hundred this year alone.
“Drug trafficking, coca harvesting, corruption and illegal armed groups are the real enemies and those responsible for the murders of our social leaders,” Duque said, adding that his Executive gave “more than 88% guarantees of his protection.” Likewise, in his balance sheet, he highlighted programs to help cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, citing achievements in health coverage and education, such as the “free public university.” And all this, he insisted, despite the “stormy storms” he faced during his presidency as a result of fierce opposition from the left.
As a counterpoint, Roy Barreras, the representative of the Historic Pact and an ally of Petro who took office as Senate president, pointed out that the left now sees a “unique opportunity” to respond to popular demands. “This will be the Congress of Change. This is where the major reforms the country has been waiting for decades will be implemented. Colombians expect a lot from us,” he assured. Similarly, he urged the armed groups to end the violence and respect the lives of civilians and social leaders.
Since Petro did not take office in just over two weeks, he is already known to have strong popular support in addition to a favorable congress. The latest polls show his popularity is rising, with 64% approval following the June 19 election. This is the highest percentage of heads of state since 2005.
The formation of the new Congress coincided with the thirtieth anniversary of one of the most embarrassing episodes in Colombia’s history. A date that was not mentioned in the parliamentary arc but was very much present as a bitter reminder of the enormous power that Pablo Escobar Gaviria, the head of the Medellín cartel, wielded in the country.
On June 21, 1992, the feared drug trafficker shocked the world by escaping from La Catedral, the luxurious prison he had built himself on a mountain near Medellín. At 11:20 p.m., when a thick fog clouded the street lamps and light bulbs in the prison, the capo escaped from his “luxury hotel” because he knew the Colombian government was going to change his detention when they confirmed that he was still abusive. , according to the writer Rafael Ballén, author of “Pablo Escobar’s escape” (Icono editorial) in an interview with Efe, the powerful drug trafficker continued to run his criminal empire from prison: he murdered his enemies, received politicians, artists , beauty queens and even football players.
The prison, adapted to his needs and equipped with luxurious rooms, game rooms, a gym, a natural waterfall and even a football field, became his home for 405 days. That’s where he ended up when he decided to surrender to Justice on June 19, 1991 in exchange for the executive’s revocation of an extradition treaty with the United States.
Source: La Verdad
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