The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, harshly attacked President Petro and his government for the delay in the installation of the electromechanical equipment of the Toyo Tunnel, accusing him of “put the spanner in the wheel” and sabotage the most important road infrastructure project in Colombia and Latin America.
The Toyo Tunnel, which includes 37.7 kilometers divided into two main sections, faces a controversy between the National Government and the authorities of Antioquia due to the postponement of the installation of critical systems for its operation, such as security, ventilation and lighting.
The equipment, acquired by the National Highway Institute (Invías), remains stored in Bogotá and Medellín without its installation having begun.
The local leader explained that the Government of Antioquia and the Mayor’s Office of Medellín completed the first section of 18.2 kilometers, which includes 9.1 kilometers of the tunnel. However, the second section, which was initially the responsibility of the National Government, was left with only 54% progress.
Also read: The mystery is over! Westcol and Luisa Castro would have confirmed their relationship with romantic photos
The mayor denounced that despite the fact that the regional and local administration assumed the additional costs to finish what corresponded to the Nation, the Petro Government decided to postpone the future validity of the electromechanical equipment until 2027, thus delaying the opening of the road that was scheduled for the end of 2026 or January 2027.
Fico Gutiérrez assured that the equipment is already purchased and available, but that the president simply decided to hinder the process “for their hatred of Antioquia, for their hatred of Medellín (…) knowing that this is not just a regional path, this is a national path.”
The mayor highlighted the importance of the Toyo Tunnel for the country’s competitiveness, since Puerto Antioquia is operating and with the sea route complete it could be reached in just four hours from Medellín to Urabá, connecting directly with the Caribbean coast and significantly improving cargo logistics.
Follow the WhatsApp channel
Medellin City
“It is irresponsible. It is another slap, another slap to Antioquia”emphasized the president, who also took the opportunity to denounce other cuts by the National Government to the region, such as the resources of the 80 Metro and early childhood programs such as Buen Comienzo.
“Despite Petro, we are doing well. And we are going to move forward. There are only a few months left of that disastrous government (…) And I only hope that a president arrives who loves the regions, who loves Antioquia”concluded Fico Gutiérrez.
The mayor announced that together with Governor Andrés Julián Rendón they are working on solutions.
According to Invías, the installation of electromechanical equipment can only begin once all civil works have been completed and formally delivered.
The contract, valued at nearly $500,000 million, is in charge of the Calma Consortium. The closure of the main phase of civil works is scheduled for the end of 2026.
More news from Medellín