The main business guilds of the southwest of the country raised their voice of protest in the face of the permanence of the blockade in the Pan -American road, at the height of the Agustina, and demanded that the National Government immediately exercise authority and control over this strategic corridor.
In a joint statement, the Guild and Business Council of Cauca, the Guild and Business Council of Nariño and the Intergremial Council of the Cauca Valley warned that the situation “It challenges institutionality and condemns the Colombian southwest to new losses”, while fundamental rights such as mobility, work, health and education are violated.
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According to businessmen, the slow reaction of the State against these facts is leaving “irreparable damage to the great majorities.” In addition, they recalled that, despite the multiple spaces for dialogue with communities for years, commitments “They are still a mystery to Caucanos” and have not translated into real and effective solutions.
The blockades have affected the economic dynamics of the south -west of the country.
Courtesy
Claim for absence of authority
The situation directly affected the Gastronomic Congress of Popayán, one of the most important events of the second semester for the region, which summons producers, farmers, restaurants, merchants, exhibitors and tourists.
The blockade caused cancellations, economic losses and a strong impact on the value chain of the gastronomic and tourist sector, with consequences that extend beyond Cauca and also hit the Valle del Cauca and Nariño.
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Although the unions expressed their rejection of the de facto roads, they were emphatic in pointing out that “Even more serious is the absence of authority of the National Government to guarantee the restoration of mobility and the protection of citizen rights of the affected departments.”
The Popayán Gastronomic Congress was affected by blockages.
CLAUDIA RUBIO/THE TIME
They demand immediate measures
Warned that it has become a custom that “Particular interests and a minority submit to the region”, to the detriment of the development and well -being of millions of inhabitants.
Finally, entrepreneurs reiterated their urgent call to respect and institutional dialogue, but They stressed that this must be accompanied by immediate and forceful actions that allow recovering control of the Pan -American route.
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The statement emphasizes that only with firm measures can be Safeguard the productive, economic and social future of the Colombian Southwest.
Constance Gómez Guasca
Economy and Business Writing
