President Gustavo Petro criticized the businesspeople of the banana sector in Antioquia, alleging that they had harmed the territory. He asked the businesspeople of the guild to support the subregion, arguing that they have used the water of the Urabá for decades, obtaining economic gains without giving any compensation. Juan Camilo Restrepo, former president of Augura, a union representing banana producers and marketers in Antioquia and Magdalena, described the president's statements as unfortunate and stigmatizing for the region and the sector. "The banana sector is a business sector that has contributed economically and socially to the Urabá region. What would the Urabá region be without the banana sector, who would generate employment and who would provide stability to the area?" said the former president of Augura.

In addition, he clarified that the water used for banana cultivation is not drinkable. The former peace commissioner emphasized that it is the responsibility of the state and territorial entities, not the private sector, to build drinking water systems for the community. "President Petro's words, instead of helping, foment the class struggle," he said.

Gustavo Petro, the current president of Colombia, was a member of the guerrillas. Before his political career, Petro was part of the April 19 Movement (M-19), a guerrilla group in Colombia.

According to Restrepo, the banana sector employs approximately 25,000 people directly and more than 120 thousand indirectly. Through his X account, the former president of Augura asked: Where is the Antioquia leadership, the interunion and other unions to defend Augura and the banana producers from the president's declarations?