After the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro, affirmed that The rice strike -Realized between July 14 and 24- It has been politicized and directed by organizations such as agricultural dignity, And in which he also points out Mayors and governorates to have facilitated machinery for the blockade of roadsRice producers, unemployment promoter and riceros del Tolima expressed discomfort through an official statement.
In the document signed by the aforementioned parties, they expressed their “deeper rejection and we express the following: rice strike is legitimate, not political. It was a fair and necessary response from producers to the critical economic situation that the sector is going through“
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“This mobilization was not promoted by political interestsbut for the urgent need for attention to a crisis that threatens the country’s food security and the sustainability of thousands of peasant families“The signatories of the letter added.
Similarly, in the letter they were emphatic in which they rejected the “Accusations unfounded against Governor of Tolima, Adriana Matiz, whom the president (Petro) has branded to promote blockages and politicize unemployment. The departmental president has demonstrated, with facts and management, Your commitment to the rice sectoracting as a bridge to facilitate a constructive dialogue with the national government, and Never as a promoter of disorders“
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In that sense, they expressed total and determined support for Governor Matiz, “Because of their courage, their accompaniment to the producers and their firm position in defense of the rural and peasant economy of Tolima“Thus, they highlighted the importance of their management, indicating that”It has been key for the voices of those who produce the food of Colombians“
In addition, the riceros demanded the president of the Colombians “Respect for territorial authorities. The president must act with institutional responsibility and not delegitimize local leaders for the mere fact of not coinciding with their opinions. Democracy is strengthened with dialogue and respect, not with reckless signs or intimidation strategies“
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The country needs real solutions, they said, “No sterile confrontations. Today more than ever, we support those who work for the Colombian countryside and demand from the National Government a decent and responsible treatment towards regional leaders and productive sectors“
The statements of the riceros were given after the strike came to an end, after 11 days, of which three were dedicated to negotiations with the National Government, at the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.
On the other hand, Petro also said that behind the price of green rice there is a monopoly: “The rice discussion is: Who is the owner of the industrialization of rice? If they are not direct producers, they impose a monopsy, that is, a monopoly price from the demand that is a molinery poster“
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“If direct rice producers are organized by regions in cooperatives, to which we will give resources from the Agrarian Bank with subsidized interest rates and guaranteesto build mill plants that are owned by direct producers, we will make it impossible to manipulate the price and direct producers”, Added the president.
Valentina Delgadillo Abello
Portfolio journalist
