Petro planta a Tolú: “inaugura” aeropuerto a medias y huye del acto
President Petro’s Quick Airport Visit: What Really Happened in Tolú?
The Big Picture: A Race Against the Clock
Imagine you have a big school project due tomorrow, but you’re only halfway done. You might be tempted to show your teacher the parts that look finished and say, "Look! I’m done!" even though the glue is still wet and half the pages are missing.
That’s basically what happened with President Gustavo Petro and the Gulf of Morrosquillo Airport in Tolú, Sucre. With his presidency ending on August 7, he’s rushing to show off finished projects—even ones that aren’t actually ready yet.
What Happened on August 1st? (Step by Step)
- The Arrival: On Saturday, August 1st, around 4:30 PM, the presidential plane touched down on the new runway.
- The Wait: The plane sat on the runway for about 20 minutes. The President did not get off.
- The Departure: The plane took off again, using the new runway to do so.
- The Empty Stage: Dozens of invited guests were left waiting for a ceremony that never started.
- The Announcement: Hours later, the President, the Presidency, and the Civil Aeronautics Authority (Aerocivil) declared this landing the "official delivery of the works."
Why Is This Controversial?
Important Point: The Project Was Only 84.75% Finished!
The Civil Aeronautics Authority themselves had reported weeks earlier that the project was at 84.75% completion. In school terms, that’s a solid "B," but it definitely means "not finished." You don’t get a diploma for 84% of the credits.
The President’s Own Admission
On his social media, President Petro admitted the airport isn’t ready. He listed two big missing pieces:
- The Fence: The perimeter fencing ("encerramiento") is awarded but not built.
- The Fuel: There is no jet fuel supplier yet. He suggested the state oil company, Ecopetrol, should provide it, but claimed they are being kept as a "source of private profits."
The "Air Side" Technicality
The Aeronautics Authority tried to smooth things over by saying they delivered the "air side" modernization (the runway and taxiways). Critics argue this is just wordplay to call an unfinished airport "delivered."
Whose Project Is It Anyway?
President Petro claimed the runway was "made in my government."
The Reality:
- The Plan: The project started years ago under the Iván Duque administration (2018–2022) as part of the "Gulf of Morrosquillo Territorial Pact."
- The Execution: The bidding (licitation) and actual construction did happen during Petro’s term.
Think of it like a relay race: President Duque passed the baton (the plan and funding), and President Petro ran the final lap (building it). Both played a part.
A History of Broken Promises
This wasn’t a surprise "oops" moment. The pressure was on for months.
| Date | Promise | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| May 27 | Aerocivil Director Luis Alfonso Martínez tells Petro: "You will land here on July 31." | Landing happened August 1st (one day late). |
| July 31 / Aug 1 | A full inauguration ceremony was expected. | No ceremony. The President stayed on the plane. |
Expert Warning: "It Still Can’t Take the Big Planes"
Businessman Emiro Arrazol—who knows the region well—raised serious red flags:
- Money Problems: The project faces financing difficulties.
- Wrong Size: Despite official claims, the airport cannot yet handle Airbus A320s (the standard planes used by airlines like Avianca or LATAM for domestic routes).
- The Cost of Delay: Arrazol says Tolú should have been flying these jets a year ago. The delay hurts the department of Sucre, which desperately needs the tourism and jobs.
Summary: The TL;DR
- President Petro landed at the new Tolú airport days before leaving office.
- He didn’t get off the plane or attend the planned party.
- The government called it "officially delivered."
- The truth: The airport is only ~85% done. It lacks a fence, fuel, and certification for big commercial jets.
- The project started under the previous president, though construction finished under Petro.
- Local experts say it’s a year behind schedule and hurting the local economy.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did the President leave without getting off the plane?
The official reason hasn’t been clearly stated, but it strongly suggests the venue wasn’t ready for a formal ceremony (no stage, no security perimeter, missing VIP amenities), so he chose a symbolic "touch-and-go" landing instead.
Can I book a flight to Tolú tomorrow?
No. The airport lacks the fuel supply, perimeter fence, and final certifications needed for regular commercial flights (like Airbus A320s). It is not open for regular passenger service yet.
Did President Petro build this airport from scratch?
No. The master plan and funding structure were created under the previous administration (Iván Duque). Petro’s government managed the construction contract and oversaw the physical building of the runway expansion.
What does "84.75% complete" actually mean for an airport?
It means the heavy lifting (moving earth, paving the runway) is done. But the "last 15%" involves critical safety items: fencing to keep animals/people off the runway, navigation aids, fire trucks, fuel systems, and government certification paperwork. Without these, it’s just a very long driveway, not an airport.
Why does this matter for regular people in Sucre?
A working airport brings tourists, jobs, and investment. Every month of delay means hotels stay empty, tour guides don’t get hired, and the region misses out on money it was promised years ago. This "delivery" was a photo op, not a solution.
