The president was to end his participation in Asofundos about pensions. But, instead, he spoke about politics after a surprise interruption by a elected congressman.
President Ivan Duque’s closing address at the Asofondos congress, Cartagena, did not go as planned. Instead, Duque began to discuss politics and how. Gustavo Petro was attacked for using the seat to attack military. He also complained about his dual role as a congressman and candidate.
He had not even started with greetings when the member of the Chamber selected by the Valle del Cauca of the Green Alliance party, Duvalier Sanchez, interrupted him to ask him what he was planning to do following the snarls of General Eduardo Zapateiro against the statements of the presidential candidate Gustavo Petro.
“Article 209″ of the Constitution specifically prohibits the military forces participating in political scenarios or engaging in democratic discussions. The entire country is in turmoil. It’s a critical moment that General Zapateiro took part in,” Sanchez said as he reached for his phone and broadcast everything that was happening on his Facebook page.
The president reacted to the protest with a strong defense of Zapateiro. He said that anyone who had allegations against members of public force personnel must be brought to trial.
Petro’s dual status as a congressman/head the opposition and as candidate, was denounced by the president Duque.
“Who are the accusers?” Are petro gustavo elected senator? “I quit Congress after winning the popular vote to be free to express my views freely as a candidate and not to use the double-hat in order to make use of seats to attack and then after institutions react with a response, present myself as a victim because this isn’t a form of democracy,” said the president.
Sanchez attempted to stay on top of the controversy , but was deterred by President Obama who demanded Sanchez follow the rules.
What was gustavo petro that caused the battle between Petro & Zapateiro to begin?
Petro sent this message to his social networks on April 20th, “While soldiers are being murdered by the Gulf Clan, some of generals are on clan’s payroll. “The leadership is corrupted when drug trafficking politicians end up rising to generals,” wrote the presidential candidate.
The following Friday, Zapateiro reacted in the same manner: “Senator, do not make use of your investiture (parliamentary inviolability) to attempt to politicize the deaths of our soldiers. Instead, perform your civic duty by submitting a providing a substantiated report to the Prosecutor’s office of the facts you have mentioned regardless of who you are.”