President Gustavo Petro did not inaugurate the Tolú Airport, marking another failure in his administration’s promise to open the Golfo de Morrosquillo airport. The project, once hailed as one of the government’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives for the Caribbean region, has again fallen behind schedule, raising concerns among local officials, business leaders, and oversight bodies. According to the Aerocivil, the airport’s construction is currently at 84.75 percent completion, far below the official target set for its opening date. The planned inauguration was scheduled for July 31, with President Petro expected to land at the new terminal during a visit to Santiago de Tolú. However, the presidential visit was canceled hours before the scheduled arrival, leaving the airport still under construction and unable to begin operations. The cancellation came after the city council had already issued special decrees to prepare for the visit, including traffic restrictions, drone bans, and heightened security measures. These preparations were abruptly halted, underscoring the lack of progress on the project. The delay was anticipated by many who have been following the project closely. Earlier this year, reports indicated that the timeline proposed by the Aerocivil was unlikely to be met due to ongoing archaeological findings and other logistical challenges. The Institute of Colombian Anthropology and History (ICANH) required extensive monitoring of certain areas, which slowed down construction efforts. These procedures lacked a definitive end date, as they depended on excavation results and technical guidelines from ICANH. Additionally, there were concerns over the availability of funds needed to complete essential works for the airport’s full operation. During the May 27 announcement in Sincelejo, President Petro and Aerocivil Director Luis Alfonso Martínez Chimenty assured the public that the airport would be ready by July 31. Despite acknowledging delays caused by archaeological discoveries, they maintained confidence in meeting the deadline. However, as the date approached, reality proved otherwise. The city of Santiago de Tolú even went ahead with administrative steps to facilitate the visit, further highlighting the growing skepticism surrounding the project’s viability. In response to the controversy, Andrés Hernández, head of press for the Presidency of the Republic, clarified that the event was strictly a ceremonial landing and takeoff of the presidential plane. He stated that no additional activities beyond this were planned, contradicting claims that the president had changed his mind or made last-minute decisions. According to Hernández, the purpose of the visit was solely to demonstrate the functionality of the runway, with no intention of the president stepping off the aircraft. This explanation aimed to dispel speculation about the nature of the event and the reasons behind the absence of the president on the ground. The situation sparked widespread discussion online, with many questioning the significance of the visit and whether the inauguration truly took place. The prolonged stay of the presidential plane on the runway, 20 minutes after landing, only added to the confusion. While the government insists that the ceremony was completed as planned, critics argue that the lack of visible engagement from the president undermines the symbolic importance of the event. As the airport remains unfinished, the incident highlights broader issues of delayed infrastructure projects and the challenges of delivering on political promises.
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