In a plenary discussion of the House of Representatives, the Escazú agreement was ratified, which leaves it a few steps away from becoming a Law of the Republic, it remains pending reconciliation of the text with the Senate and its review by the Constitutional Court, before passing to presidential sanction.
With the presence of the Minister for the Environment, Sussana Muhamad, and the Minister for the Interior, Alfonso Prada; The Government obtained the approval of an agreement that was elusive during the Duque government.
The debate, which was scheduled for two in the afternoon, began four hours late, According to the president of the corporation, this happened because in the Senate the debate was held on the so-called ‘Total Peace’, which had the presence of Minister Prada.
In context: Total peace law was approved in the first debate in Congress
Initially two proposals were presented, one of them from the representative for the Democratic Center, Vladimir Olayawho requested the file of the billnoting that: “in Colombia we have laws that must be enforced, We cannot let outsiders come to impose on us how we should manage our resources”
Minutes later, the bacada of Cambio Radical requested the postponement of the debate to study the bill further, arguing that they were new congressmen Y they asked for a new debate about this agreement.
Given the refusal of the President of the corporation, David Racero, supported by the fifth law, the parties Radical Change, Democratic Center, Miguel Polo Polo for the Afro community and Marelen Castillothey decided step away from the vote and leave the room.
With the departure of the opposition parties, the Chamber maintained its quorum and the vote was carried out. The agreement was ratified with 121 votes for one against.
Minister Susana Muhammad was very pleased with this achievement of the Government and pointed out that “It is important to start creating a roadmap, which will give us an overview of what we should do”.
Also read: Congressmen speak of alleged witchcraft in the Chamber: Even the frailejón Ernesto Pérez was there
During the debate there was a curious moment, when the Opposition congressmen accused attendees of witchcraft that they were in the bar area and those with candles and some traditional elements accompanied in silence the plenary.
