Economic decline, German eggs and more ‘innocent’ of 2022

2022 has been a hectic year and has recorded a lot of economic news and a current agenda that has been marked by the presidential elections in which President Gustavo Petro. And, with so much movement, it was almost impossible for ‘apnocented’ not to be registered.

These false starts generated controversy at the time, and even some are still valid and in the memory of Colombians, as they produce uncertainty. This is the case of the recent declarations of the president of Colpensiones, Jaime Dussán, on the use of pensions for infrastructure works.

Although some were clarified, most are still in the retina of the citizens.

Here we tell you which were the most controversial ‘innocents’ of 2022:

One of the most criticized statements this year was the request made by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez, to the most developed countries so that “decrease their economies”in relation to the economic theory of degrowth that was born in the 70s by the mathematician and economist Georgescu-Roegen.

This movement is currently led by the Frenchman Serge Latouche, an economist and detractor of the current capitalist model. It consists of looking for a “balanced relationship between human beings, nature and economy”.

(What is the ‘degrowth theory’ that Minminas spoke of).

The most recent case is that of the president of Colpensiones, Jaime Dussán, who stated that the pension savings could be invested in infrastructure works, such as an elevated train between Buenaventura and Barranquilla.

Faced with these statements made by Dussán, the Minister of Finance, José Antonio Ocampo, and the president himself, Gustavo Petro, came out to deny it and clarify the situation, which generated uncertainty and a wave of criticism against the Government.

(Petro denies the president of Colpensiones).

Jaime Dussán, president of Colpensiones

Presidency.

Another minister who generated strong criticism this year was the head of the Labor portfolio, Gloria Ines Ramirez, who in an interview stated that “businessmen have been stingy” in the face of the reactions of merchants and industrialists to the proposal to pay nightly surcharges from 6 pm

In the interview, granted to Blue Radio, Minister Ramírez also assured that she prefers to create one job position with “minimum levels of stability and guarantees” rather than create three.

(Quality or quantity? The Mintrabajo request to employers).

Gloria Inés Ramírez, Minister of Labor.

In the middle of the campaign, the then vice-presidential formula of Gustavo Petro and current vice-president today, France Marquez, He was criticized for ensuring that the eggs consumed in Colombia are imported from Germany.

His statements soon became a trend on social networks, while Gonzalo Moreno, president of the National Federation of Poultry Farmers of Colombia (Fenavi), had to clarify that fresh eggs are not imported.

“100% of the fresh eggs sold in Colombia are Colombian. No fresh eggs are imported from Germany or from any other country”said Moreno at the time.

(Fenavi denies Francia Márquez about the consumption of German eggs).

France Marquez

TIME

Precisely, during the presidential campaign, several candidates also generated controversy.

One of them was Federico Gutierrez, who was questioned several times from the opposition for his apparent ignorance on public finance issues.

“But silver is silver…”, was one of the statements made by the candidate after a journalist asked him about the use of the royalty fund that transfers the money to the regions.

Another of the most criticized candidates was Rodolfo Hernandez, who showed ignorance on issues such as the Escazú Agreement or when he said he did not know where Vichada was.

Another ‘fool’ was the candidates who announced that, if they became President, they would not make a tax reform. It is worth remembering that this measure is something that experts have always said would be necessary.

The three candidates stated that they would accept the invitation to dialogue if they lose, regardless of who the president is.

milton diaz

Another ‘princess’ of 2022 was the appointment of Mery Gutiérrez as ICT Minister. FFinally, he could not fill the position by multiple remarks.

This position was one of the longest to be filled.

One of the most notorious business events of the year was the election of Carlos Gustavo Cano as president of the Ecopetrol board of directors. However, in the end, he was not appointed to the position.

The Government clarified that the decision was not final and, after a new vote, the economist Saúl Kattan Cohen was elected, who held a position on the Ecopetrol business committee.

Another issue in which there was great confusion was the issue of days without VAT, Well, from the beginning, the current government expressed the desire to eliminate the measure implemented by former President Duque, something that took a while.

Although they were finally suppressed, the controversy over their disappearance remained.

The days without VAT were created to reactivate the economy.

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