One of the most anticipated panels during the first day of the National Congress of Traders-Businessmen of Fenalcotitled ‘The vision of the future of Colombia from the capital cities, was that of the mayors, in which the following participated: Alejandro Charmayor of Barranquilla; Carlos Fernando Galanmayor of Bogotá; Federico Gutierrezmayor of Medellín; Alejandro Edermayor of Cali; and Dumek Turbaymayor of Cartagena.
During their interventions, the local leaders affirmed that the country’s progress must begin in the regions, For this reason, they highlighted the importance of advancing on the fronts of security, infrastructure, job creation and decentralization..
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“Colombia can be built from the regions. Local governments can build the country, so we must focus on working. It is not about fighting, it is about acting and working for citizens (…) This process has not been easy, since not everything is in our hands and we have very limited budgets. Moving a city like Barranquilla forward, which is coming from financial deterioration, has been quite an odyssey. I think that, with stability, good government and closeness to the people, it can be transformed.”highlighted Alejandro Char, mayor of Barranquilla.
The Barranquilla president also referred in his speech to the progress that has been made in the Atlantic capital, where he highlighted the work in the area of education, health and infrastructure.
Alejandro Char, mayor of Barranquilla.
Courtesy
In turn, the mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, called to change the national territory from the regions, and mentioned that in the case of Medellín, 97% of employment is generated by the productive sector.
“The country has endured four years of disaster, but not eight, and those who aspire to the presidency must know that this is a key moment for Colombia. We have two years to prepare, so when the change occurs in 2026, we are very clear about where the country is going and how to change the health system that they have already destroyed.”Gutiérrez commented.
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For his part, the mayor of Cartagena, Dumek Turbay, said that the current situation in the country has led to promote the future of the country from the regions.
“Cartagena is a failed city, which in recent years survived a government that was crazy, that, without a doubt, caused the city many problems, which we have been solving. We want Cartagena to be a city with purpose, although it is quite fractured it can show positive results. We need to work for the country from the capitals”, he stated.
The local president of Cartagena stated that the President Gustavo Petro He has not had any contact with him and has shown himself “blunt”.
“The president has a list of close and not close rulers. We are not important to himDumek added.
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Carlos Fernando Galán, mayor of Bogotá, stated that the country requires governments that deliver concrete results, results that change the lives of citizens. “Despite the differences, we need to continue moving forward and work for the country“.
Finally, the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Éder, stated that in the capital of Valle del Cauca We have been working on security, as well as on the trust of citizens. Furthermore, he sent a strong message not to politicize the COP16.
“We received the city in a very unfortunate situation, and the people of Cali had lost faith. In these 9 months we have recovered the good name of Cali and the management of public affairs. In recent months, the traffic authority has been strengthened, the police force has increased, exercising control throughout the city, and with the resources they began to build large works (…)”said Éder.
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