President Gustavo Petro responded yesterday on X to criticisms from his former finance minister, José Antonio Ocampo, and partially blamed him for the country's fiscal deficit.
In an extensive post, Petro defended his government’s security achievements. He stated that Colombia now has the lowest homicide rate in 36 years and highlighted the voluntary eradication of 39,000 hectares of illicit crops, of which 7,000 have already been certified by the UN.
The president criticized Ocampo for covering the deficit of the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund with budget resources. According to Petro, the fund should have been financed through higher gasoline prices rather than public funds.
He also questioned the decision to advance the 2024 income tax payment to cover 2023 expenses, calling it an “accounting lie.” Petro further criticized the Banco de la República and announced he will present an updated satellite map on coca crops next Tuesday.