Colombian President Gustavo Petro has officially announced that April 19th will be recognized as a civic day in Colombia, aimed at promoting water conservation in the country. This measure has stirred both support and controversy in Colombian society. The president, known for his commitment to the environment, has emphasized the importance of raising awareness among the population about the preservation of this vital resource. Petro underscored that the chosen date commemorates the historic Day of the M-19, a guerrilla group that signed peace with the Colombian government in 1990, and now the aim is to honor peace with nature.
“Schools, universities, and private companies can use tomorrow as a civic day. This April 19th, a day of rebellion, of reading, of conversation with family and friends about the dangers of climate change, about who produces it, about what must be done. It’s a day of national rebellion, tomorrow (this Friday) we combine the forces of life, we ward off the calls of death, it’s the day of life on Earth, my day and your day.”
The announcement has sparked diverse reactions in public opinion. On one hand, environmental advocates and supporters of the president have praised the initiative as a significant step towards protecting the country’s natural resources. On the other hand, critics have expressed concern about the choice of date, arguing that commemorating the Day of the M-19 could reignite past political tensions. And members of the Democratic Center party have accused the president of doing it as a strategy to mitigate the manifestations against him on April 21st.
In response to these claims the president expressed his support for those who wanted to manifest. Saying that it is their right and he will provide, in collaboration with Interior Department and Department of defense, the guarantees so people can freely express themselves in protest. Despite being aware that these will be to complain and oppose his government, he still supports their rights as citizens.
Furthermore, a lawsuit has been filed against the decree establishing this civic day by lawyer German Calderón García. Who says the decree was wrongfully stablished and it is not legal. However, President Petro has reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, stating that the protection of water is a fundamental issue that deserves the attention of the entire Colombian society. “And they want us to do nothing. As if it were God’s fault and not greed. It’s not God’s fault, the guilty one is among us. They ask us to close our eyes and let our children live through the worst. No, gentlemen, our children will live better than us, because we will defend the water and the life of our land, of our beloved Colombia” said Petro.
This declaration reflects the current government’s approach to environmental conservation and its efforts to promote environmental awareness in Colombia under the leadership of President Petro. In addition, here are some of the declarations of regional governments that supported the civic day:
The Minister of Energy Department, Andrés Camacho declared on the subject “We will advance the inspection, monitoring, and permanent surveillance of all agents of the national energy system and will accompany the National Energy Dispatch Center to monitor all energy dispatch throughout the country.”