2024-07-21 23:16:07
The events of July 20 were held amidst controversy, one of the most talked about being the absence of the first lady, Verónica Alcocer, who was unable to take part in the celebrations of the day.
President Gustavo Petro was criticized after arriving late to the military parade that is traditionally held every year to honor all those uniformed personnel who serve the country to protect its citizens and territory. He arrived two hours late, so the event had to start without him, something that had not happened under any other government.
He did not reach Colombia
Another of the traditions broken during the day was related to the company of Verónica Alcocer, who did not come to the event. Nor was she present at the installation of the new Congress. The head of state was not accompanied by the first lady on his walk from the Casa de Nariño to the Capitol.
According to the presidential team, the first lady did not make it to Colombia because she was invited to an event of the Coux Foundation in Switzerland, which had the reconciliation process as its central theme, so she was not able to be in the country on time, thus breaking another tradition in the middle of the day.
The presidential source clarified that the event’s expenses were paid by the foundation and Verónica Alcocer paid for her ticket to attend.
Although the event started with delays, Petro appeared in his traditional white outfit and was accompanied by Vice President Francia Márquez and his right-hand woman, the director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency, Laura Sarabia.
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