The guild said that the decrease proposed by the US Congress would affect development and justice programs.
The president of the Colombo American Chamber (AMCHAM COLOMBIA), María Claudia Lacouture, spoke on the international aid budget that is discussed in the United States House of Representatives and that contemplates a 50 % reduction in non -military economic aid for Colombia.
According to Lacouture, The decrease of more than 400 to 208 million dollars “does not only obey technical criteria”, but constitutes “a political sign of concern by the United States Congress against increased increase inthe setback in the fight against drug trafficking and questions to respect for the rule of law ”.
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The union leader warned that This reduction would directly affect development assistance programs that have been fundamental in areas affected by the armed conflict. Among them, he mentioned the strengthening of local justice in rural areas, productive initiatives in vulnerable territories and participatory governance projects.
Likewise, Lacouture said that the financial support fund would also be impacted, which has been key to expanding educational opportunities, paying attention to vulnerable populations and energizing the economy in historically marginalized regions.
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“This puts at risk the continuity of each of these programs that have been essential in rural development, justice and institutional strengthening,” he said.
For Amcham Colombiathe proposal also reflects a deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. “Beyond the budget impact, this gesture shows a deterioration of a bilateral relationship that, for decades, has had solid bipartisan support in the United States Congress,” said Lacouture.
The president of the guild concluded that “Colombia cannot ignore this signal. Recovering international confidence demands responsibility, legal certainty and an unequivocal commitment to democratic principles that have guided our historical alliance.”
Source: Integrated information system
