Funde CEO Roberto Rubio called the statements a “supine ignorance” or a “moral breakdown in his intentions.” Other economists categorize it as illegal and unbelievable nonsense.
The Nayib Bukele government intends to spend the entire 2021 Public Works budget in four months and wait for a new arithmetic in favor of its party in the Legislature to be set up to ask for more funds as an “alternative” to the amendments. which MPs made in next year’s spending plan.
“And so that the works do not stop, we will invest what was allocated to us for the year, in 4 months,” the president wrote in a summary of a video that explains to which areas the funds will be allocated.
This statement was later supported by the Minister of Public Works, Romeu Rodríguez, who stated in a radio interview: “As the President said, we will use the budget for the whole year in four months. Then, in the new Assembly Legislative we will ask for the necessary resources to be able to execute works of benefit of country, ”the official said.
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This would mean a double budget for next year, at a time when the Salvadoran economy has fallen into recession and the level of indebtedness reaches 90% of GDP. The approved spending plan for next year amounts to $ 7,453.5 million, but presents a deficit or financial gap of $ 1,342,000, which will be financed with loans and securities issuance of $ 137,500,000.
Hours after this tweet, President Bukele tried to explain that it will be the budget for public works that will be spent in 4 months. “Deputies reduced the amount carried by the budget for Public Works and left it at 1/3 of the original. 4 months is exactly 1/3 of 12 months. And 4 months is exactly the time left for the new Legislative Assembly to enter and replace the remaining 2/3, “he added.
“Supine ignorance”
Following this statement, the executive director of the National Development Foundation (Fon), Roberto Rubio, described this idea as “supine ignorance” because they do not understand that the only way to have another budget for the rest of the world. ‘year, even if they get a majority in the Assembly, is to increase revenue and this will only be done with debt.
“As is the country and more if creditors know they want to spend the budget in 4 months, it’s a terrible sign. It’s not just blowing and making bottles, as the saying goes. This is something that is actually seen the only way is through indebtedness in conditions where you are not about to go into debt, ”criticizes Ros.
For him, trying to spend the budget in 4 months is almost impossible, it is a sign of ignorance, “especially when it comes to a rather inept government that has not even been able to build the hospital El Salvador. It is not just a matter of money but of capacity “.
“From where you see it is not credible,” said in this regard the economist and dean of the School of Economics and Business (ESEN), Carmen Aída Llaç, who adds that it gives the idea that the current administration ” it still doesn’t know how the state works and its processes. “
For her part, economist Tatiana Marroquín described it as nonsense. “How embarrassing to be an economist and give such statements. What he says is not only irresponsible and illegal, it is also a great ignorance in fiscal terms. According to this beast when the budget is approved do they give them the money bags for the whole year? What nonsense, ”he said.