2024-09-04 05:46:27
Former Senator Gustavo Bolívar revived the debate on the fiscal situation, pointing out that it was inherited by former President Iván Duque, affecting the current administration.
Through his X account, Bolívar pointed out that Duque left the country with an unsustainable debt and a fiscal deficit for not adjusting the price of gasoline and diesel fuel during his term.
“Former President Duque, knowing that Uribe was losing power, left President Petro three bombs that he knew would implode his acceptance: a short-term debt that would make it pay more than 100 billion annually. By 2025, it will be 112. (Duque never paid more than 60 billion in debt annually),” Bolívar wrote. He also criticized Duque’s “cowardice and irresponsibility” for not adjusting gasoline and diesel prices between 2020 and 2022, which, according to him, has forced Petro to assume the fiscal and political costs.
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In response to these accusations, former Minister of Mines and Energy Diego Mesa defended the Duque administration’s management, detailing the actions taken regarding fuel prices. Mesa explained that in 2018, the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (FEPC) had a deficit of $14 billion inherited from the previous governmentwhich was eliminated during Duque’s term. He also noted that during the 2018-2022 period, the FEPC operated under a public policy framework that allowed prices to be set appropriately, even during the crude oil price crisis in 2020.
Mesa added that, in 2022, the FEPC deficit was made transparent and settled, leaving the fund completely healthy for the new government.“Since August 7, 2022, the decision on fuel prices is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the current government,” Mesa said, making it clear that any subsequent adjustments are the responsibility of the Petro administration.
Former President Iván Duque also spoke out on the matter, supporting Mesa’s statements and criticizing Bolívar for what he described as a lack of responsibility on the part of the current government.The forcefulness and clarity of former minister Diego Mesa disarms the populists who previously threatened to set the country on fire for any increase in fuel prices, and who, now in government, demonstrate their incompetence by blaming others for their own mistakes.“, said Duque.
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