The bloc of European Union ambassadors in Colombia sent a joint statement on the situation in the country

This Friday, May 28, the 17 ambassadors of the European Union in Colombia jointly launched a message on the current situation facing the South American country. The Diplomats insisted that dialogue and negotiation They should be a priority, so that they would not support Iván Duque’s decision to order military assistance in areas most critical to public order.

“The 17 EU ambassadors support dialogue and negotiation as the only way to achieve a lasting solution to the crisis. We invite the parties to use tomorrow’s meeting to achieve the necessary consensus. The country demands reconciliation and an end to violence ”, held by embassies.

The Ambassador of the European Union, Patricia Llombart, also assured that the country could not cause more deaths. “In a democratic society, there is no room for violence, vandalism or abuse. Differences are resolved through dialogue, negotiation and the search for consensus. The greater the disagreements, the more demanding the investment in dialogue. Colombia cannot kill more people “, Held.

On the crisis in Colombia, this Saturday UN Secretary General in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz MassieuHe said: “I have followed the latest events in Colombia very closely and with great concern. After a month of protests and social mobilization, we continue to witness the public outcry. The serious events in Cali and in other towns and departments show the need to strengthen dialogue as a fundamental instrument for resolving conflicts ”.

Massieu called on all actors to prevent and eliminate violence and do everything possible to reduce tensions and prevent their escalation. In all cases, even the most difficult, we must promote dialogue.

“To consolidate a stable and lasting peace in the country is my greatest wish and, I am sure, that of all Colombians. The United Nations remains available to facilitate and support the paths towards a peaceful solution and agreement, ”he added.

Militarization in Colombia

After President Iván Duque ordered on the night of this Friday, May 28 militarize the whole department of Valle del Cauca To control the tense public order situation in Cali and other towns, early this Saturday, the decree that, along with Interior Minister Daniel Palacios, Duque signed to deploy law enforcement in various regions of Colombia was announced.

The edict shook the political arena of the country and there are already difficult questions against the first president, because in Decree 575 of May 28, 2021, President Duque gives the order to the governors of Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Huila Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Caquetá and Risaralda and the mayors of cities such as Cali, Buenaventura, Pasto, Ipiales, Popayán, Yumbo, Buga, Palmira, Bucaramanga, Pereira, Madrid, Facatativá and Neiva guarantee order in the territories because, otherwise, they would be sanctioned.

“Coordinate with the military and police authorities of the department the military assistance referred to in article 170 of the law 1801 of 2016, so that the department, the district and the municipalities, implement this legal instrument to face and overcome the facts which give rise to the serious deterioration of security and coexistence, in their respective jurisdictions ”, indicates one of the articles of decree 575 of the current year.

In addition, territorial leaders are invited to coordinate with the national police and the “The military authorities of the military assistance department referred to in article 170 of law 1801 of 2016, so that the department, the district and the municipalities, implement this legal instrument to deal with and overcome events that cause serious impairment of security and coexistence, in their respective jurisdictions ” read the document.

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