We will not accept violence as a pressure mechanism, says Duque

In a speech on Tuesday, President Iván Duque issued a warning to the events scheduled for Wednesday labor centers, students from public universities and other sectors: will not accept violence as a pressure mechanism, nor vandalism as a language of social protest.

The president sent this message because of attacks on members of the police force, presented during certain marches.

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"Tomorrow, various social organizations and political groups have called for a day of protest, our government respects the right of citizens to demonstrate and will provide all guarantees for its free and peaceful exercise." However, during recent demonstrations, a minority of violent and vandals boycotted public transport, clashed with the police and even attacked media"Says Duque.

In addition, the President called on the parties to reach an agreement that ends the discussion.

"We will not accept violence as a mechanism of pressure, nor vandalism as a language of social protest. Dialogue and the search for consensus, solutions and non-aggression are part of the spirit of our administration."said the president.

"We can not forget that the exercise of rights is not absolute and must respect the rights of others and also includes the duties of citizens," he said.

In addition, he announced that he had given instructions that in the conciliation Ministry of Education, he increase the percentage of resources for higher education.

"I asked the Minister of Education to make an extra effort and, in the conversations we have with young people, let's an effort to give the 3.5 base on the CPI in 2019 and 4.5 in 2022. It means constant and valuable resources for public universities, "he said.

Balance 111 days of government

The Chair reviewed the first 111 days of his mandate on topics such as security, increased illicit cultivation and economic revitalization programs immersed in the financing law.

Regarding coca crops, he said: "In recent years, illegal cultivation has multiplied by more than 180,000 hectares, the activities of armed groups have grown and the killing of social leaders has increased."

And on the budget deficit, he added: "We have found a deficit of 14 billion pesos for the next year's budget that is endangering many social programs of the state. 4G infrastructure have been blocked and the tax burden is still slowing down the creators of jobs and investors.

In the face of security, he said: "During these 111 days, we have deployed two security clash plans, the Diamante and El Que Hace plan to the Paga, with very good results. Positive: 600 operations, approximately 7,000 school parks and environments to protect our children, 10,000 offenders under judicial process and 17 captured leaders of armed groups. "

Duc spoke of the state in which, according to him, he found the peace dialogues between the government of his predecessor and the Guerrilla of the ELN, where several criminal acts were presented.

In addition, he referred to the crisis in Venezuelan migration to Colombia.

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"During 17 months of negotiations between the previous government and the armed group of the ELN, 100 people were murdered and 400 terrorist attacks recorded," said Duque.

"We are also facing one of the most serious humanitarian crises that Latin America has known, more than a million Venezuelans who fled the dictatorship and emigrated to our country in search of". A refuge, "he said.