Colombia’s Congress threatens to strike amid a clash with the country’s interior and justice minister over a delay in debates on anti-corruption measures.
Congress President Armando Benedetti proposed to the Senate’s First Commission that it halt its activities until there is clarity about alleged criticism expressed by Minister German Vargas Lleras about the delay.
While President Juan Manuel Santos and his ministers were looking back at the first 100 days of government, Vargas Lleras expressed concern about the delay in getting the anti-corruption legislation on the agenda of the First Commission. This commission is presided over by Conservative Party Senator Eduardo Enriquez Maya, whose party immediately denied blocking anti-corruption measures and accused the government of wanting to push legislation through Congress, without allowing the lawmakers to debate and vote on proposals.
Benedetti wants the government and the Conservative Party to clarify their position before the commission resumes work.
Santos proposed the new anti-corruption legislation to Congress in September.
