Vélez in the morning | Hernán Cadavid talks about the controversial reception of Benedetti in plenary session

House Representative Hernán Cadavid spoke with journalist Luis Carlos Vélez on B12 Radio after an issue that has generated a wave of reactions in the political sphere was brought to light: Armando Benedetti's visit to the plenary session before officially assuming his position as Minister of the Interior.

According to Cadavid, Benedetti's arrival caused a paralysis in the session, interrupting the normal development of the legislative discussion.

"In the House, a session that seemed normal when suddenly Benedetti arrived (...) He strutted into the plenary and was received with a courtly attitude by the traditional parties and some women of the Historic Pact," said Cadavid.

The congressman pointed to some of his colleagues, whom he described as the most critical on issues of feminism and who, according to him, have harshly questioned other officials for their statements on the subject, but who in this case were the first to come out to greet Benedetti.

"We had to ask to speak and say that we were sorry that Benedetti, the star of Colombian politics, had arrived," said Cadavid, who said that the plenary session was halted due to the reception given to Benedetti.

The representative also criticized Benedetti's attitude, assuring that he did not participate in the discussion of any project and that his presence was limited to walking around the benches, surrounded by his "entourage."

"He didn't do anything else, he arrived, he made his presence felt, he went from bench to bench alone in silence and in a matter of 15 minutes he left the plenary session," he said.

Finally, the congressman expressed his concern about the impact that Benedetti could have on the approval of government bills.

" I fear that Benedetti may be able to push through the government's bills. The media, watchdogs and others should focus on the Seventh Commission of the Senate because that is where the labor reform is and because the health reform will also be included."

Benedetti will take office as the fourth Minister of the Interior of President Petro's government . The portfolio was also headed by Alfonso Prada, Luis Fernando Velasco and Juan Fernando Cristo.

The new official, for his part, will assume his fifth position in Petro's Executive. He was Colombia's ambassador to Venezuela, head of the FAO diplomatic mission in Italy and advisor to the Presidency on legislative matters.

More recently he had been named chief of staff, an appointment that did not go down well with the so-called 'purebred' Petro supporters in the cabinet.

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