High spending and unusual power of Colombia’s first lady a growing problem for Petro

The high expenses and unusual power that the Colombian first lady possesses, Veronica Alcocerhave become a problem for the president Gustavo Petrowho came to this position with a promise of change and austerity that is tainted by his wife’s actions.

The controversy also grows because in Colombia There is no position of first lady and, therefore, she does not have established functions, which is why the wives of presidents traditionally carry out activities “associated with social management”.

This is what the director of Postgraduate Studies in the area of ​​Political Science at the Pontifical University Javeriana tells EFE, Patricia Munozwho adds that generally first ladies are also designated as representatives of the country at events abroad.

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Alcocer Expenses

The La Silla Vacía portal revealed at the beginning of the month that since the beginning of Petro’s government, in August 2022, the expenses to maintain his wife’s entourage amount to approximately 1,000 million pesos (about $254,000 today).

The research supports thatThe “personal makeup and costume designer, professional photographer, her best friend and a personal advisor on a minister’s salary are hired for three public entities take care of your image, your schedule and your company.”

Given this information, the Presidency did not deny the value of the expenses, but clarified in a statement that “Some bodies that make up the structure of the Presidency of the Republic have specific functions of provide administrative assistancesecurity and protocol for the president and his family.”

“What needs to be done is a call for austerity, a call for expenses to be managed with the greatest care because they are public resources. Any amount that may appear excessive in carrying out these activities is viewed by the citizens as an amount that could have been invested in social activities Munoz assured.

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Representative of Colombia abroad

Alcocer is also the target of criticism for his numerous trips abroad, including to represent Colombia at the funerals of the Queen Elizabeth II and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abeas well as at the coronation of Charles III as King of England and attend a private audience with Pope Francis at Vatican in January last year.

Precisely for the latter, the Attorney General’s Office (public ministry) assured that the first lady should not have traveled to the Vatican as “ambassador on special mission” nor having obtained money for travel as if she were a public servant.

In the opinion of Muñoz, “The designation of the First Lady to these representation spaces could have been carried out by other employees who have these functions” as vice-president and minister of equality, France Marquez.

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The power behind the power

The president’s wife is also accused of having great behind-the-scenes power that gave him authorized to locate in important positions for people close to him.

A good example of this is Spanish Eva Ferrerone of the first lady’s most trusted people and who was presidential advisor for Reconciliation, a position she left last year due to alleged differences with her friend.

Concepción Baracaldo was also briefly in the Government and, despite having no experience in matters relating to childhood and adolescence, she was appointed by Petro as director of the Colombian Institute of Family well-being (ICBF).

Baracaldo, who is no longer in the Government, assured in an interview with Caracol Radio in 2022 who arrived at this position through an offer from Alcocer.

“I was calm at home, retired, and one day I received a call asking if I would be interested in running the ICBF. Veronica She is the one who calls me, we are neighbors and we have known each other for a long time. With Gustavo Pedro I also have a relationship because I studied with him in Zipaquirá”the woman then stated.

The press also links her to the dentist appointment Carmen Caballero as president of ProColombia and indicate other positions in offices of that state body abroad.

Muñoz considers that everything that happens to the first lady worsens the president’s image, since his actions are “contrary to what the Government offered to citizens and for which was chose”.

“They build negative perceptions in citizens who manage to break at some point the bonds of trust they created with voters”, concludes the teacher.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.