"Colombia Facing Deindustrialization: Unfulfilled Promises of Reactivation"

In campaign times, President Gustavo Petro promised an industrial revolution in Colombia that would transform the country from being a mere exporter of raw materials to a viable competitor in the manufacturing sector. Two years after taking office, the reality is that those promises seem to have faded, revealing not only a lack of progress in reindustrialization but also the closure of important industries that have left hundreds of workers unemployed. An emblematic example of this situation is the recent closure of Colmotores, the vehicle assembly plant that, after a long period of service, decided to shut down its machines due to a market that did not provide the necessary conditions for its operation. The company argued that the need to concentrate production in more efficient plants and the imminent transition to electric vehicles made its operations unviable. However, the question arises: what efforts has the government made to support the conversion of this industry towards the production of electric cars, instead of simply allowing it to close its doors? The discourse on reindustrialization that has lingered in the air lacks a solid foundation. For this reindustrialization to materialize, the country needs not only entrepreneurs willing to risk their capital but also a stable economic framework and policies that encourage innovation and competitiveness. However, the current government seems more focused on a concept of popular economy rather than the genuine creation of an industrial ecosystem. Entrepreneurs, who are the engine of any economy, have felt a lack of support from the government. Fiscal policy, far from being a pillar of stability, is in constant flux and adds to the uncertainty faced by the private sector. The recent tax reform is a clear indication that the path toward sustainable economic reactivation is still very far away. Adding to this is a market that seems to be fading in the face of an avalanche of imported products, especially in sectors like steel. Colombian steel mills find themselves in a critical situation, threatened by unfair competition from imported steel at laughably low prices from China. This reality has put thousands of jobs at risk and has affected entire regions that depend on these industries, such as the Paz del Río area in Boyacá. The government's response to this crisis has been puzzling. Instead of implementing protective measures or incentives to strengthen the national industry, it has opted to promote the importation of cheap steel. This approach not only jeopardizes local companies but also undermines any attempt to promote reindustrialization. The fact that the government suggests to steel mills that they shift their focus and produce other products, instead of helping them compete in their primary area, reveals a lack of understanding of industrial dynamics. Industries are not created overnight, and allowing existing ones to crumble is a path that leads to industrial homicide, not reindustrialization. In comparison, countries with robust industries like China spare no expense in subsidies and support for their industrial sectors to thrive. Meanwhile, in Colombia, the narrative of change feels more like an illusion than a reality. The lack of concrete and effective action has created an atmosphere of discouragement among entrepreneurs and workers who see their opportunities fading away. The current situation invites us to reflect on the future of the Colombian industrial sector. Without a clear and sustained plan that involves all actors, from the government to the private sector, the promise of a reindustrialized Colombia will remain just that: an empty promise. The hope for real change becomes increasingly remote unless bold decisions are made and collaborative efforts are undertaken to build a true industrial framework that benefits everyone.