Local governments in Chile and Colombia address infrastructure financing

Local governments in Chile and Colombia are navigating different approaches to financing public infrastructure. In Chile, the Mayor of La Higuera, Uberlinda Aquea, participated in a national seminar organized by the Chilean Association of Municipalities (ACHM) in Hualpén. The seminar focused on financing instruments for local public infrastructure, such as the Shared Urban Financing Law. Aquea highlighted the need to adapt these models to rural areas and criticized how centralism and bureaucracy can hinder investment at both central and regional levels.

In Guachené, Colombia, the Municipal Council is debating a loan proposal presented by Mayor Wilinton Mina Vidal. The project aims to fund various urban and rural works, including road paving in the San Fernando neighborhood, the construction of parks and community centers, and school improvements. Additionally, the plan includes agricultural investments, such as purchasing a corn harvester and a bulk trailer to support local farming productivity. The council's decision will hinge on balancing these infrastructure needs against fiscal responsibility and the long-term impact of municipal debt.