The Minister of Environment of Colombia, Susana Muhamad, states that The presence of the controversial ex -ambassador Armando Benedetti In a senior government position, as head of the presidential office, it does not give confidence and its permanence in the cabinet constitutes a risk that led her to make the decision to resign.
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Muhamad, one of the Government’s star ministers, which He announced his resignation on Sundayhe recognizes in an interview with Efe that the position of Benedetti, a politician who has corruption processes, but is still defended by President Gustavo Petro, Cause “Internal Tensions” which can cause risks to Colombian institutionality.
“The arrival of Armando Benedetti as head of the president’s office is a process of political empowerment that generates many risks for both the defense of the public and the integrity of the government in my perspective, but also as a political representation against gender violence”he says about the veteran politician, who was fundamental for Petro’s triumph in the presidential elections of 2022.
The minister considers that “Colombian institutionality is quite resilient,” but believes that in the current situation “institutional exercise can have risks.”
It is not the first time that Benedetti is in the Petro government, because he was already ambassador to Venezuela, before FAO in Rome and more recently presidential advisor, but but His appointment a week ago as head of dispatch was the drop that overflowed the cup and caused the criticisms of several members of the cabinet during a Council of Ministers that the country witnessed live, as it was broadcast on television.
“It is the arrival (from Benedetti) to the center of the president’s office, where the most important information of the government is handled, where it is in the heart of the political representation of the president; he has a seat in the Council of Ministers where they are taken delicate decisions and where I personally have no confidence that the agenda that is handled is that of the Government and I do not have confidence in transparency “, affirms.
In that sense, the minister, whose resignation will be effective on March 3, adds that Benedetti is “A person who is currently facing a trial in the Supreme Court of Justice for influence peddling.”
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Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad.
Mysterious relationship with Petro
The reasons why Petro insists on keeping Benedetti in the government, although he already left the two embassies in which he named himThey cause suspicion in Colombia, but Muhamad considers that everything “It has to do with trying to guarantee broader alliances for both the government and in Congress” such as the official has a 20 -year legislative experience.
“I think that is one of the factors and also, as the president said, to constitute a broad front that has the ability to stop an extreme right rise. I think those are the political reasons and it seems to me that this is valid and legitimate And it is the president who makes those decisions “he adds.
Muhamad, like the Vice President and Minister of Equality, France Márquez, also questioned the Council of Ministers The appointment as Chancellor de Laura Sarabiaa very influential person in the government and considered Petro’s right hand, but without experience for that position and even more at times when there are tensions in the relationship with the United States.
President Gustavo Petro and the then Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad.
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“Simply, I left it there and I still believe that it is not the most convenient, especially at such a critical geopolitical moment, with so many threats. But again it is the president who makes those decisions and hopefully they are correct.”holds.
Despite his critical position, Muhamad is committed to Petro’s progressive project and willing to return to the government, although only “If they change substantially the circumstances of what made us give the resignation.”
Muhamad is mentioned as a possible candidate to some position of popular election in next year’s elections, before which she recognizes that it is a decision that was “Soak.”
“That was on the agenda, I was discussing it with President Petro, in what quality, at what time, what were the rules of the electoral game, how the historical pact (Government Party) was going to work” “he says, and adds that, however, she was more inclined to stay in the government and take her agenda “Because I know it is essential that if the government goes ahead, the elections too.”
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EFE
