Bruce Mac Master strongly criticizes the presence of criminal gang leaders at President Petro's event.

The presence of some criminal gang leaders at an event for President Gustavo Petro this Saturday in Medellín continues to generate strong criticism from various sectors of the country.

These men, escorted by a robust INPEC security detail, left their detention center to attend the event, as they are members of the urban peace committee at the Itagüí prison.

One of those questions was raised by Andi President Bruce Mac Master, who expressed his concern and rejection of the presence of these criminal group leaders convicted in the past.

He also questioned the lenient and preferential treatment granted to these criminal gang leaders, given their prominent role in the violence that has plagued the country.

The president of the Andi also expressed his rejection of this "indulgent and preferential" treatment while "people and sectors of society who not only comply with the law but also strive to build institutionality" are constantly attacked .

"What signal is sent to society, to young people, and to citizens when individuals and sectors of society who not only comply with the law but also strive to build institutions, work collectively for development, and generate employment are constantly attacked, while others who commit crimes, some of them atrocious or crimes against humanity, are treated with great leniency and preference, knowing that they have been key players in the violence in our country," stated the president of the Andi.

According to information obtained by EL TIEMPO, the National Government invited at least nine leaders of gangs operating in the Antioquia capital to this weekend's event in Medellín.

Among the criminals who were on stage , alias Juan 23, alias Tom, alias Vallejo, alias Douglas, alias El Tigre, alias El Indio, alias El Compa and alias Grande Pa were identified.

Furthermore, another of the profiles that attracted the most attention—and possibly the most dangerous—was that of alias Carlos Pesebre, leader of 'Los Robledo,' an organized crime group linked to 'La Oficina.'

The sentences to which these leaders have been sentenced total nearly 150 years in prison.

Jorge de Jesús Vallejo Alarcón, alias Vallejo, was one of those who spoke at the event. In his speech, he referred to the recent assassination attempt against Senator Miguel Uribe , describing it as an event that demonstrates that "the wound is still open."

He noted that "we cannot move forward if we continue to kill each other" and affirmed that "the culture of the bullet must be replaced by the culture of the word."