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It is an unprecedented event in the recent history of the country: From the Presidency of the Republic it was said that the mayor was setting a trap for the head of state. The statement comes from Diego Molano, director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre), one of the men who speak into the ear of the President.
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This shows that the relations between Mayor Claudia López and President Iván Duque are at one of the lowest points – if not the lowest – with unforeseeable consequences for all.
It is true that between the two there have been situations of enormous tension. In fact, since January 1 – when she took office – there have been several occasions on which López has criticized the President’s management. However, Sunday’s empty chair episode pushed the limits.
The Mayor’s Office organized an event with the victims who have left the violent events in Bogotá that began with the murder of lawyer Javier Ordóñez, by a group of policemen. She invited President Duque, who delegated the Peace Commissioner, Miguel Ceballos, and the Human Rights Counselor, Nancy Patricia Gutiérrez.
When the mayor was going to speak, a man crossed the stage from the back to an empty chair that was on one of the sides and stuck a paper with the name of President Duque. It was to signify her absence.
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“Reconciliation begins because it is transparent, not as an excuse to set up events and cheat the President,” was Molano’s trill in clear allusion to an act organized by the Bogotá Mayor’s Office.
Although in formal terms, President Duque has been cautious to comment on the Mayor of Bogotá and much more about its mayors, it is a fact that Molano has been in charge of answering for the Casa de Nariño.
This distancing also shows that relations between the mayor’s office of the capital and the National Government are not flowing as they should.
Past and future
But why was this point reached? Several analysts consulted by EL TIEMPO, coincide in pointing out that, politically, the two come from opposite shores and with different styles when governing and communicating.
(It may interest you: What the 6 photos show about the death of Javier Ordóñez)
Since the pandemic began, these differences have become much more apparent. The priorities have not always been the same. There were differences on the issue of isolation and the closure of the airport. Later López questioned the delay in the delivery of the ventilators for the ICUs, she also criticized the opening of the National Government to new sectors, as well as the high unemployment.
For Jorge Rojas, who was Secretary of the Government in Gustavo Petro’s administration, what is evident is “a political pulse” in which Claudia wants to “assert” the political autonomy of Bogotá, since the capital does not depend on royalties or of State transfers.
Meanwhile, Patricia Muñoz, professor at the Javeriana University, believes that “what there is is a tense relationship”, although she clarifies when explaining that “it is very difficult to speak of a rupture”.
However, it states that this “relationship is tense” since it began. “They have different positions and the priorities in their government exercises are different,” he said.
According to Yann Basset, professor at the Universidad del Rosario, the two have different orientations and there is a rivalry, “What makes cohabitation difficult”. However, this teacher warns that national and local governments cannot cut the bridges
Along the same lines, Gilberto Toro, president of the Colombian Federation of Municipalities, says that a harmonious work of the different levels of the State is needed to be able to move the country forward, respecting the competencies and roles that each of the leaders have.
“Starring in this confrontation, which people perceive is for reasons of
political prominence is not good, “said Toro.
For analyst Jairo Libreros, “this is a political clash with electoral effects, starring, led, written and directed by her, who accumulates the tasks of librettist, editor, director and producer. And the idea is that the happy ending, like any movie, takes place in 2022 ”.
(Also: This is the image of Duque and Claudia López)
Small politics must be put aside when there are basic principles of democracy and the defense of human rights involved.
Carlos Galán, president of the Bogotá Council, said that this fight “does not help us face what we are experiencing” and asks: “Small politics must be put aside when there are basic principles of democracy and the defense of human rights involved ”.
In conclusion, Duque and Claudia cannot divorce but must make an effort, amid the differences, to maintain the relationship.
POLITICS
TIME
