Federico Gutiérrez, mayor of Medellín, replied to Luz María Zapata after she accused him of being behind his departure from the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (assocapitals).
The woman assured that Fico was the “determinant” to leave, although his mandate went until next year and that he supported him at the time. “He has been a very complex person, I did not understand his change, he will know well,” commented.
The president spoke at De Y took the opportunity to refer to this controversy. Gutiérrez said he never sought Zapata’s departure and launched a strong criticism.
“Asocapitals were kidnapped in favor of the National Government,” He pointed out.
In fact, he went further stating that he decided, at the time, to get away from the discussion in the association because, according to him, he saw no progress for several months.
“If she believes that I have the power to influence all the mayors of Colombia, Well then that is almost a compliment, ”he said.
In that sense, he made it clear that he feels a deep respect for each of his colleagues, regardless of the political positions they may have. “We have worked in harmony,” he said.
“Unfortunately, assocapitals could have had a different course the next year, I hope this time I have it. This person (Zapata) what he did was clinging to a position, a ground and playing the government while Colombia sank ”, added.
The mayor of Medellín said that he simply laid his position and expressed the things he did not agree with, but remarked that he did not even return to the meetings that were held.
“Ask for other mayors if it is true what she is saying,” commented.
In fact, he revealed that other leaders have made their complaints and claims for different issues such as expenses or the handling that was being given to assocapitals. “That he does not come to disguise the subject and much less come to say that it is discrimination due to gender issues,” said.
“That issue cannot be attributed to me, here almost 60 % of the management levels of the Mayor’s Office are women. Here all I have is respect and affection for our women, ”he said.
Fico put on the table alleged political interests that Zapata would have and that, according to him, took her to her departure from the association. In addition, he placed as an example that other leaders did not agree with the things that happened with the then director and talked about a meeting in which everyone agreed that she could not continue in office.
“Now, good things come for assocapitals (…). If it is well managed, it is an important association ”, said.
Finally, he emphasized that the new mayors who arrived had the “right to have a trusted person as director of an association that is financed from the cities, that was the minimum.”
“When assocapitals resume the course, I will return and be participating. For the moment, I still think from Medellín about what I think will be better for Colombia, ”he concluded.
