Female voices against Armando Benedetti's arrival at the Ministry of the Interior

Since Armando Benedetti's arrival in the Government was announced, after leaving the FAO, criticism in the political world was not long in coming. What seemed to be only external rejection became a conflict in the cabinet that was reflected in the controversial televised cabinet meeting on February 4.

One of the voices that initially expressed her displeasure at the presence of the former ambassador was the vice president and Minister of Equality, Francia Márquez , who said she did not agree with Benedetti's arrival.

“President Petro, you know how much I appreciate you, I have also been honest, but I tell you up front the things that I do not like in this government and the things that I do not agree with. I do not like Laura Sarabia's attitude towards us, towards me, in this government, to the point where I have had to tell her: 'Respect me, I am the vice president'; and I do not like, and I respect Benedetti, but I do not agree, President, with your decision to bring into this government these people who we know have a large part of the responsibility,” said the senior official.

Along the same lines as the vice president, the then Minister of the Environment, Susana Muhamad, with tears in her eyes, stated that she could not sit at the same table with Benedetti.

“As a feminist and as a woman, I cannot sit at this cabinet table with Armando Benedetti. I am not the one who is going to resign, Mr. President, because I am not resigning from the project or the government, but it is something that I have to say and express as well,” said Muhamad.

The day after the tense cabinet meeting, the head of the Environment Ministry confirmed her resignation and said that the president should make the decision about her future. Twenty days later, it was learned that Muhamad will now be the director of the National Planning Department, a position previously held by Alexander López, who was also critical of Benedetti's arrival.

Among those who have also spoken out against it is that of the Ombudsman , Iris Marín, who in a statement to the media said: “It is not a convenient or respectful decision… To have an official with such serious accusations not only of violence against women, but of corruption.”

The specific case of gender violence to which the defender refers is one that allegedly occurred last year in Spain. Apparently, during an argument, Benedetti verbally assaulted his wife. Reports indicate that the case allegedly escalated to attempts at physical violence that were stopped by witnesses of the events.

From Congress, representatives and senators have also stated their position against the man who would be the new Minister of the Interior. The representative of the Green Alliance, Catherine Juvinao, referred to it through her X account: “ The appointment of Armando Benedetti in @MinInterior only means one thing: In 2025, @petrogustavo is willing to do whatever , however, at whatever cost, with whoever. A false promise of change that succumbed to the worst of politics in Colombia. Disgusting.”

Along the same lines, Jennifer Pedraza pointed out that it was a “betrayal” of the idea of ​​change proposed by President Petro: “This is a spit in the face of the people who trusted @petrogustavo. A promoter of Uribe’s reelection, investigated for vote buying like Benedetti, is the owner of the Government. And the Liberals, the U and the Conservatives are eating it up!”

In the Senate, Paloma Valencia recalled the cabinet meeting: “First scene: Susana Muhamad and her entire sector say they will not sit down with Benedetti. Second scene: they ask for their resignation. Third scene: Benedetti is Minister of the Interior. Title of the play?”

Her colleague María Fernanda Cabal also pointed out the investigations that the former ambassador is facing: “Benedetti, the head of the Petrufos. Armando Benedetti and Gustavo Petro are the worst of the political class. Petro, who has lived off the State for more than 30 years, went from being a M-19 guerrilla to being a congressman and mayor of Bogotá without standing out in anything, except for his populist and irresponsible speech. Benedetti, for his part, inherits the political tradition of his father, a key figure in the Samper government in the midst of the crisis of the 8,000 process. How many radio stations were given to so many journalists to feed the narrative 'it was behind my back'? Today, Benedetti has seven investigations in the Supreme Court and a summons to trial, but instead of answering for them, he receives the Ministry of the Interior as a reward.”

The congresswoman not only went against Benedetti, but also against the former minister Muhamad: "Will she be able to sit next to Armando Benedetti now that she is appointed as director of National Planning?"

Maria Alejandra Gonzalez Duarte