economy
May 4, 2026
The Silence of the Accordions
Director of Portafolio 05/03/2026 18:52 Updated: 05/03/2026 18:52
TL;DR
- Over 150,000 people traveled to Valledupar, filling hotels and boosting local entrepreneurship, highlighting the cultural and economic draw of the vallenato festival.
- Despite abundant natural resources (coal, gas, wind, sun, fertile land), the Cesar and southern La Guajira regions are economically underdeveloped.
- The article criticizes the mismanagement of revenues and royalties, suggesting they should be invested in agricultural capitalization, logistical connections, and environmental restoration instead of bureaucracy.
- Lack of essential infrastructure like irrigation, rural roads, and access to credit are major obstacles to agricultural development.
- Insecurity in strategic areas is a significant deterrent to sustained agricultural investment, mining, and renewable energy projects.
- Inadequate infrastructure, exemplified by the unfinished Ruta del Sol and the stalled concept of the Tren del Caribe, further exacerbates economic challenges.
- The region's potential to leverage its cultural heritage, like vallenato as a permanent industry rather than a recurring event, is hindered by a lack of institutional support.