After criticism, Petro defends Boyacá's order to the health minister

President Gustavo Petro awarded his Health Minister, Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo, the Order of Boyacá, the highest civilian honor in Colombia, during a ceremony where he unveiled the first declassified archives from the former DAS agency. The award was given in the rank of Knight, one of seven levels within the order. The decision was made by Petro himself, and the gesture has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures who accuse Jaramillo of mismanagement and political favoritism. The ceremony took place yesterday, with Petro personally presenting the medal to Jaramillo. The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Jaramillo’s tenure as health minister since 2023. Opposition senator Andrés Forero called the honor “a decoration of infamy,” echoing criticisms from political rivals who have long sought to challenge Jaramillo’s influence over the ministry. Forero previously served as a representative known for exerting political pressure on the health portfolio. Jaramillo, who was initially Petro’s chief of health when he was mayor of Bogotá, has been credited with some major achievements under the current administration. Petro highlighted that Jaramillo oversaw the largest budget investment in healthcare in Colombian history. He claimed that this led to a substantial reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates, attributing the success to the preventive care system introduced during Petro’s time in office. However, investigative reports from La Silla Vacía suggest that while the decline in mortality is real, the narrative presented by the government may be misleading, as other factors likely contributed to the trend. In addition, Petro praised Jaramillo for overseeing more than 2,000 hospital infrastructure projects and expanding access to primary care through mechanisms such as Basic Health Units (EBS). These units were meant to provide essential services to rural communities, though La Silla Vacía has documented concerns that they have also been used to maintain local political networks, including those tied to Jaramillo’s family. Jaramillo’s tenure has also been marked by controversy. He spearheaded efforts to reform the healthcare system, but these proposals were defeated in the Senate’s Seventh Commission. His administration faced legal challenges related to the calculation of the Unit of Payment per Capitation (UPC), which plays a central role in funding public health services. During his time in office, the healthcare system reportedly deteriorated significantly, with rising costs and limited access to care becoming widespread issues. Critics have also raised concerns about the handling of the National Health Fund (Adres), which oversees financial resources for the system. A motion of censure against Jaramillo was proposed based on four main points: a steady increase in legal petitions regarding violations of the right to health, difficulties in accessing medications, and statements by the minister that allegedly disregarded the dignity of patients affected by systemic failures. Jennifer Pedraza, a key figure behind the motion, argued that Jaramillo’s rhetoric undermined trust in the healthcare system. The health sector remains a critical priority for the new government. President-elect Álvaro Uribe has already named Ana María Vesga as his potential health minister, a leader of the Colombian Association of Integrated Medicine Companies (Acemi), which opposes many of the reforms implemented during Petro’s presidency. Vesga’s appointment signals a shift toward policies that prioritize private-sector interests, contrasting sharply with the progressive agenda pursued by Petro’s administration. Healthcare in Colombia has become increasingly difficult for citizens. Reports indicate that the system is facing its worst crisis in decades, with growing numbers of legal complaints, increased out-of-pocket spending, and longer wait times for medical appointments. The situation reflects deepening tensions between different factions within the country, as well as the broader challenges of managing a complex and often politically charged public service.