Ruptly
"Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that Venezuela shifted its policy on Monomeros, a key fertiliser producer, and is no longer prioritising its sale to Colombia, during a presidential address in Bogota on Tuesday. "We have the decision of the Venezuelan government on a policy change. Now they are no longer interested in selling Monomeros to Colombia, but rather in ensuring that the fertilisers made in Colombia with Venezuelan-subsidised urea actually go to the United States and do not stay in Colombia," he explained. Despite this, Petro reaffirmed the order not to export fertilisers from Colombia. "What is produced of fertilisers stays in Colombia for the feeding of Colombians and is subsidised, all exports of this must have a high tariff," he said. The head of state linked the policy to the international context marked by conflicts that are pushing global prices. "What do we have now? War against Iran by the United States. We are neutral. [...] Brent oil, therefore, due to the war, has risen to more than 100 dollars (85.6 EUR) per barrel," he remarked, while stressing his intention to contain rising food costs. Petro also mentioned that climate factors have worsened the current situation, including historic rainfall in regions of the Colombian Caribbean that has impacted production. "Food prices are now rising above the average, pulling upwards, and it is due to another war and climate reasons," he emphasised. The president defended the measures adopted by his government to reduce food inflation, which, he noted, fell from around 23 percent at the end of former president Ivan Duque's term to levels close to one or two percent. Petro also announced that his administration will evaluate restrictions on the export of products such as meat, arguing that there are no surpluses for export to China and that the aim is to protect the national supply."
Go to News Site