Crowdfunding for 4G Roads in Antioquia is Not Illegal, Contrary to Petro's Claims: "There Would Be No Grounds for Financial Collection"
Infrastructure attorney Edwin Cortés Mejía was quoted in an Infobae Colombia article regarding the controversy surrounding the crowdfunding initiative ("vaca") promoted by the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, to finance fourth-generation (4G) roads. Mr. Cortés provided legal arguments clarifying that this form of financing, contrary to accusations, does not constitute a mass and habitual collection of funds according to current law but is based on donations without expectation of repayment. This distinction is crucial to understanding the legality of the initiative and highlights the importance of differentiating between illegal fund collection and the mobilization of legitimate financial support through donations.
"Regarding the crowdfunding effort for infrastructure in that department, it pertains to receiving donations. Given that there is no expectation of return, but rather it involves donations, there wouldn't be a case for it being considered a form of illegal fundraising. It should be highlighted that the responsibility of the government is to communicate and ensure the compliance with anti-money laundering policies," he said.