President Iván Duque held an extensive dialogue with the director of SEMANA, Vicky Dávila, where he talked about many topics, including his relationship with the media.
Historically, the leaders of Colombia have had to coexist with different media, since in the country there is freedom of the press and there is a large number of media outlets.
For this reason, Duque was honest when asked about how he felt treated by the press during the four years of his government. Laughing, the president answered the question.
“Someone told me that 90% of presidents feel mistreated by the press. The same thing happens with the press as with politics. There are sectors that remain faithful to the profession, without taking sides, they are analyzing and transmitting what is substantial. There are other sectors that are less journalists and more activists. When you cross that border, you begin to fall into prejudice and bias, or what is more dangerous: when journalism becomes militant, it begins to erode.
Duque added that he read a publication where they said that “when President Eduardo Santos was asked about the press, he said: “Look, in my government there has been so much freedom of the press that there are some media outlets that tell everything but the truth.”
Although he did not make it clear if that happened in his government, he pointed out that “in some cases it could have happened.”
The truth is that President Iván Duque had to maneuver with a pandemic, a social outbreak and a fierce opposition. That is why for many there is an injustice with the president, who is not recognized for everything he has done for the country.
When asked about this matter and whether over time they will recognize all his management, Duque pointed out that this always happens when a guest leaves the Casa de Nariño.
“The thing with wines happens to governments, you have to let them decant. In the United States it took many years to recognize many of Harry Truman’s achievements. In Colombia it also took many years to recognize many of the actions of Alberto Lleras or Carlos Lleras. Sometimes the political uproar prevents it. What happened to my government was what also happened to some extent to Carlos E. Restrepo, who said they will not only evaluate my government for the works I left behind, but for the tragedies I avoided.”
The president pointed out in the dialogue with SEMANA that he was happy to arrive at the Casa de Nariño because he always wanted to be president of the Republic. He recognized that he had been preparing for many years to take on that rest and for that reason, he made the decision to be a candidate.
“I had the most difficult challenge, being president in the worst crisis in a long time and we managed to move Colombia forward, vaccinated, growing, with coverage of social programs, with execution of the national development program, and we show that resilience is what defines a government that overcame adversity and made Colombia one of the fastest growing economies in the world.”
Finally, President Duque said goodbye to the Colombians, through the interview in SEMANA, and thanked them for their support during these four years.
“I want to say to all my compatriots, with affection, with love and with a genuine desire to always serve my country, thank you, thank you for these years of work. Together we managed to move Colombia forward in the midst of so many difficulties, I want to tell you that I put my soul, my heart and all my dedication. We know that many challenges remain. I wish you all always the best. As a citizen after August 7, I will also always be on the side of what is best for our country.”