Federico Gutiérrez will increase the penalties for the corrupt to more than 40 years

The presidential candidate of Equipo for Colombia, Federico Gutiérrez, participated in a press conference on the premises of La Picota prison to talk about “social forgiveness”, the controversial proposal that surrounds his opponent, Gustavo Petro. The former mayor of Medellín also elaborated on his plan to combat corruption, political death and the restructuring of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC).

The controversy of “social forgiveness” arose after Juan Fernando Petro, brother of the Historic Pact candidate, visited La Picota prison to speak with Iván Moreno, former mayor of Bucaramanga and former congressman convicted of the hiring carousel case in Bogotá. The meeting was held because the prisoners asked to speak to the Inter-Church Commission for Justice and Peace, of which Juan Fernando Petro is a member.

Although the senator explained that the meeting had nothing to do with his election campaign, there are those who point out — among those Gutiérrez — that the meeting would talk about an alleged reduction in penalties in exchange for political support. However, Petro recently stated that his program does not include such a thing. “We have defended to the maximum the autonomy of the judicial branch and its empowerment. No amnesty or pardon is proposed as they now face us,” said the candidate.

Despite the explanations, the candidate of the Team for Colombia insists on the idea that it would be a reduction of penalties for those convicted of corruption. For that reason, Gutiérrez performed at La Picota from 10:00 this Monday morning.

“We already see the extent, the desire and the despair they have to try to get votes through the worst corrupt people in the country and the worst criminals,” Federico Gutiérrez said at the press conference. He also asked that the incident be investigated, “it is not normal when known criminals supposedly start sending invitations to their people to vote for these candidacies,” he added, calling Petro's brother's visit “a moral disaster for the country.”

Anti-corruption proposal

On previous occasions, the right-wing candidate had already mentioned that his fight against corruption included: jail, political death, loss of investiture and extinction of dominion. This idea was explained in depth by La Picota because it promised that in its presidential campaign it will not have any links with politicians singled out or convicted of this crime.

“Seeing how the other campaign came to this place to seek votes from the corrupt, violent and worst murderers in the country in exchange for reduced sentences or such social forgiveness is one of the worst scandals the country has ever experienced,” he said at the prison.

It should be recalled that the applicant has been criticized for his closeness to the Char house, which has been linked to corruption scandals and has publicly shown support for Gutierrez.

Inpec and political death

Gutiérrez warned that prison sentences would be increased to more than 40 years for those who had committed acts against public funds and social welfare. Likewise, political death will be sought, which consists in not being re-elected as public servants or being able to administer public resources.

The candidate also stated that he will seek to bring the recruitment processes to Secop II and thus ensure transparency and citizen oversight, both in the works processes and in the recruitment of civil servants.

With regard to INPEC, the candidate proposed ending certain privileges enjoyed by some prison wards. “This procurer cannot continue. Pavilions where the corrupt and murderers are, where with whiskey and cell phones they hold clandestine parties and negotiate votes for reduced sentences,” commented the former mayor of Medellín. There he again raised the idea of reforming or eliminating INPEC and transferring its functions to another entity.

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