The Colombian government’s expenses on security deprive the poor of social investment, Conservative Party senator Alfonso Nuñez, said in a debate Tuesday.
According to the coalition senator, the heavy cost of the administration’s ‘Democratic Security’ policy have sapped funds from health care and other social projects for the poor.
Both the country’s deputy Defense Minister and Finance Minister were at the debate and defended the Colombian military expenses, claiming they have helped improved confidence in Colombia.
Colombia, involved in a 45-year-long violent conflict with illegal armed groups, spends 5.7 percent of its GDP on Defense.