CD representative questions costs of Vice President Francia Márquez’s trip to Africa

2023-05-08 16:16:07

the vice president France Marquez plans to take a plane to Africa this month to sustain diplomatic relations with the authorities of several countries of that continent. The second in command of the government will be accompanied by a delegation of 60 people and they already criticize the costs of the mission.

“Just the fuel for your trip to Africa, it will cost us all! Colombians almost 1,700 million pesos! Not counting other expenses. Meanwhile, the lives of Colombians are becoming more and more expensive,” denounced representative Hernán Cadavid, of the Democratic Center.

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Indeed, the congressman attached the response given by the Ministry of Defense to a right of petition in which he asked how much the fuel for the plane that would transport the president and her entourage would cost.

“Air support will be carried out with the B373-70D aircraft. On the other hand, the value of the fuel for the transfer will be approximately $358,274”, Was the detail provided by the Ministry of Defense.

Márquez and his entourage are expected to visit South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia, and also make landings in Senegal and Togo.

Enteresis: Foreign Minister defended Vice President Francia Márquez’s trip to Africa with a delegation of 60 people

In exchange for the amount in dollars given by the Ministry of Defense, the state would spend 1,621 million pesos. Despite the expense, the Foreign Ministry has insisted when travel is necessary.

“How can we not have relations with Africa? The visit implies putting a face and more when we have a vice president who represents the interests of the black community”, has been the argument of Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva.

The crew that will accompany the trip will also have an expense of $13,538 for transfers, food and lodging.

“It is a shameful waste. The fuel alone costs 1,700 million pesos. This is not fair to the taxi drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers and householders who observe the increase in fuel every month. It is not fair that the resources of Colombians end up squandered”, pointed out representative Cadavid.