Crisis in Colombia

Mexican investors in Colombia fear a military coup as a result from Duke's lack of reaction

Companies such as Carso, Cemex and Bimbo have strong investments in the South American country.

Talks between Mexican companies' headquarters and their subsidiaries in Colombia have soared in recent hours. The crisis that shakes Ivan Duque's government fuels the worst fears among national investors who are considering a military exit to the conflict.

Companies such as Carso, Cemex, Gruma or Bimbo have strong interests in the South American country and do not want a break from institutionalism. The speculation that has grown in recent hours is that Duke may be the victim of a military coup in the face of the reality that there might not be an electoral solution in the short term.

Image of Iván Duke collapses after protests left 19 dead

The Colombian government is seen by investors as taking a path with no exit and have a feeling that they will be unable to propose any actions that could mitigate the conflict. Today, Tuesday, at a company in Santa Fe, in Mexico City, they were analyzing a poll from three weeks ago commissioned by a Colombian Business Chamber that indicated that 85% of Colombians reject their political system, while 78% have a bad opinion of the Executive Branch.

In addition, there was the departure of Chancellor Claudia Blum and the exit of Economy Minister Alberto Carrasquilla last week, two politicians who were seen as a reference for foreign entrepreneurs.

Companies such as Carso, Cemex, Gruma or Bimbo have strong interests in the South American country and do not want a break from institutionalism.

The operations of Mexican companies have not been gravely affected and the exit of top executives from Colombia is not an option at this time, as was the case in Venezuela.

Calls mount on US government to do more to reign in Colombian police amid rising unrest 

In May of 2020, Duke had a direct conflict with the high military command when the Semana magazine revealed that the Army spied on officials from the presidential cabinet, including the president's private secretary.

The matter was settled with the departure of eleven senior officers, but according to reports from Mexican officials, that movement left open an unfinished conforntation, which now threatens to resurface.