Ramirez: A "total peace" that legalizes criminality would be a slap in the face to Colombia

Bogota, Jul 28 (EFE), (Camera: Santiago Guerra).- Colombian Vice President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucía Ramírez believes that if the next government's "total peace" proposal seeks to legalize criminal activities it would be "a slap in the face" to the country, and affirms that a "constructive opposition" to Gustavo Petro's presidency, which will begin on Aug. 7, is needed.

About to close a cycle in her political career of almost 25 years, during which she has been minister of Commerce and Defense, ambassador, senator and currently vice-president and foreign minister, Ramirez says in an interview with Efe that after leaving office she will take a break, but will continue to work, especially for women's equality, one of her causes.

Translations:

1. I believe that all Colombians have always longed for a peaceful country and a peaceful country is achieved when there is a rule of law that works, laws that apply equally to all.

It is one thing that there are people who had a political ideology 40 or 50 years ago, and that is why they were in the guerrillas and that there is a peace process to incorporate them politically, but it is another thing to talk about legalizing all that has been criminality in this country and that they remain in impunity. That, it seems to me, would be a slap in the face to all Colombians.

2. If they are going to tell us at this stage of life that in order to talk about total peace we have to get out of jail all those who have stolen money in public works, with all the corruption that has taken place in this country, that would not be flattering for the future of the country in terms of peace.

That would be to cover with a mantle of impunity the corrupt of this country and we cannot applaud that in any way.