Asocapitales supports Mayor Federico Gutiérrez in response to President Petro's accusations.

President Gustavo Petro made harsh comments against the mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, and the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón. He made these remarks at an "urban peace" event, where he was joined on stage by arrested leaders of criminal organizations from the Aburrá Valley.

Given the nature of the event and the type of comments, various sectors have come out in solidarity with local leaders and questioned the president's actions, especially in putting on the stage those who have plagued the region with violence.

One of the latest sectors to join the protest was Asocapitales, which issued a statement supporting one of its members, Federico Gutiérrez. " The Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales) emphatically rejects this type of action," the organization stated.

In this regard, they asserted that what the president did on the platform "not only does not contribute to supporting the authorities, but is also worrying for all of Colombia's cities, where residents are working hard to leave behind a past marked by violence."

Along these lines, they directly expressed their solidarity with Gutiérrez. "Asocapitales stands in solidarity with the mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, whose safety is at risk due to this type of provocation that appears calculated and orchestrated by the government," the statement reads.

Along these lines, they called on Gustavo Petro's government to "guarantee respect for territorial authorities, the safety of our local leaders, and safeguard the country's institutions in strict adherence to the Constitution and the laws."

There was also criticism of the presence of the leaders of the region's criminal groups. "These types of acts are not only unnecessary and untimely, but they also intimidate citizens who are clamoring for territories where the Public Forces can carry out their mission of pursuing and prosecuting violent individuals."

Along these lines, they expressed that the presence of criminals on platforms, exposed before the public, "represents an affront to institutions, demoralizes the public force and those in charge of investigating criminal organizations."

Juan Sebastian Lombo Delgado