On the afternoon of this Wednesday, seven changes made by the President Gustavo Petro to his ministerial cabinet, just a little over eight months after the start of his administration.
The changes are in the portfolios of Treasury (Ricardo Bonilla)Agriculture (Jhenifer Mojica), Interior (Luis Fernando Velasco), Health (Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo), Science (Yesenia Olaya) and ICT (Mauricio Lizcano).
(Also read: The reasons that explain the departures of the Petro government ministers).
The National Trade Union Council assured that, within the challenges that the new officials will have to face, it is essential that theycontinue to ensure fiscal stability and that respect for the independence of institutions prevail in order to maintain confidence in the country«.
«We reiterate our commitment to work together for a Colombia where guarantee democratic principles, individual libertiescollective and economic rights, the exercise of free enterprise, legal certainty and respect for institutions”, he added.
(Also read: Who is Ricardo Bonilla, the new Minister of Finance?).
I was appointed by President @petrogustavo as Minister of Finance, replacing @JoseA_Ocampo. I thank the President and I promise to fulfill the functions of the position. I greet Minister Ocampo and acknowledge the work done. I will maintain economic stability.
– Ricardo Bonilla (@ricardobonillag) April 26, 2023
The unions also highlight that the country is going through a historic moment of great changes and national agreements, so they are optimistic that this new cabinet «will be open to dialogue, to seeking consensus and to work together so that the reforms that are being processed in the Congress of the Republic guarantee the closing of gaps, the reduction of inequality and the fight against corruption».
(Also read: ‘Economic credibility must be maintained’: Ocampo after departure of cargo).
Meanwhile, the president of the National Association of Businessmen of Colombia (ANDI), Bruce Mac Master, assured that The change of cabinet brings the great challenge of being able to generate trust in local and international markets, investors and citizens.
Former Minister of Finance, José Antonio Ocampo.
Cesar Melgarejo, THE TIME
«The voice of the finance minister will be especially important in order to guarantee fiscal responsibility and sustainabilityeven more so when the National Development Plan, the health, labor and pension reforms are being processed, and energy and hydrocarbon policies are being defined,» said the union leader.
He also asked for an impact analysis of the labor reforms around all the measures that are being contemplated and that could affect employment, labor informality and economic activity.
ECONOMY
TIME