Finance Minister Germán Ávila and vice president-elect José Manuel Restrepo exchanged criticisms during the first transition session between the outgoing and incoming governments.
The meeting, held in Bogotá and lasting a little over an hour, marked the start of the transition process between the government of Gustavo Petro and that of Abelardo De La Espriella.
Restrepo outlined seven alerts identified by the incoming team, including a difference in net public debt relative to GDP, a crisis in the health system with 90% of patients lacking access to medicines, the risk of a power outage, and lags in land delivery by the ANT, which shows only 6% progress despite $2.37 trillion allocated.
Ávila replied that Restrepo broke an agreement not to turn the session into a media show by mentioning only headlines and suggested addressing the issues in sectoral commissions. The minister announced that the government will present a financing bill on July 20 and that 22 working tables will be held.
Both teams agreed on the frequency of future meetings and the broadcast of sessions to ensure transparency.
