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Original article: “Mientras en Argentina quiebran 30 empresas por día, en mi gobierno se crean 50”: Petro responde a Milei tras apoyo a De la Espriella

Colombian President Petro Responds to Milei’s Support for Far-Right Candidate Amidst Economic Comparisons

In a striking statement, «While in Argentina 30 companies go bankrupt each day, in my government 50 are created«, Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacted to Argentine President Javier Milei after the latter publicly endorsed right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who is set to face progressive Iván Cepeda in the runoff election this Sunday, June 21.

«I fully support Abelardo de la Espriella for the June 21 runoff (…) It is about much more than an election: it determines whether Colombia continues on the path of economic growth and prosperity or falls into the impoverishing communism. The forces of freedom in the region are watching and supporting,” Milei expressed on his social media platform X.

“The Argentina of La Libertad Avanza will always stand with those who choose freedom and democracy. VIVA LA LIBERTAD CARAJO…!!!” he asserted, reaffirming his backing for the presidential hopeful from his political faction.

In response to Milei’s remarks, Petro highlighted the influence of the so-called «libertarian» in the electoral race by sharing a series of data that contrasts the economic conditions of both countries.

«While in Argentina 30 companies go bankrupt each day, in my government 50 companies are created daily. While Argentina has seen 24,000 companies destroyed and gone bankrupt, my administration has achieved the highest number of businesses in history: 1,805,000 companies,» the Colombian leader stated.

He further argued that the budget-cutting «chainsaw» model implemented by Milei in Argentina has increased poverty levels due to decreased domestic market activity.

«While Argentina has cut budgets and closed institutions, leading to a shrinking internal market and a rise in poverty, my government has increased spending on public education above all else and expanded health expenditures unlike any previous administration,» he posited.

«We have helped 3 million elderly individuals lift themselves out of extreme poverty and reduced monetary poverty and extreme poverty by 6 million people,» he emphasized.

Additionally, he highlighted his commitment to a green transition and achieving «the lowest unemployment rate of the century» recorded in Colombia during his tenure.

«While we are discouraging the fossil economy and moving towards clean energy, we have achieved the second most diverse economy in Latin America, after Uruguay, and attained the lowest unemployment rate of the century; meanwhile, Argentina has begun to depend on fracking and has the highest unemployment rate in recent times,» the progressive leader concluded.

La entrada Colombian President Petro Responds to Milei’s Support for Far-Right Candidate Amidst Economic Comparisons se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.