Federal agricultural subsidy program AIS was like a piñata party for drug traffickers, beauty queens and paramilitaries, Colombian opposition Liberal Party said Tuesday during a debate on irregularities in the granting of government funds.
The opposition had called for the debate to file a motion of censorship against the Minister of Agriculture, Andres Hernandez.
The opposition said to be outraged about the fact that wealthy families were granted the subsidies that were meant to stimulate equality in Colombia’s agricultural sector.
The debate did not lead to a vote on the motion to censure the Minister as a large number of Senators declared themselves impeded to vote and a clash between the opposition and Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio.
Valencia demanded coalition Senators to voice their opinion as the opposition had used more than four hours to denounce government corruption. Opposition senators, demanding the Agriculture Minister to speak, loudly whood Valencia, who accused the opposition of not wanting a response by the government.
The Agriculture Minister had asked the president of the House to be allowed three hours for his defense, but was told to wait until next week when the debate continues.
