[Colombia and the instrumentalization of the covid-19 pandemic]

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Economics

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread suffering globally.
• In Colombia, the pandemic's impact was exacerbated by the instrumentalization of events by various sectors.
• Mandatory quarantine measures presented a severe dilemma for low-income populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how business, educational, and government spheres in Colombia instrumentalized the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To explore the dual perception of quarantine among low-income citizens.
• To identify the opportunistic goals pursued by these sectors during the crisis.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of the socio-economic and political context in Colombia during the pandemic.
• Examination of the perceived impact of containment measures on different socio-economic groups.
• Content analysis of sector-specific responses and objectives during the crisis.

Main Results:

• Low-income citizens faced a "dying of hunger or coronavirus" dilemma due to quarantine.
• Business, education, and government sectors viewed the pandemic as an opportunity for advancement.
• These sectors pursued goals such as promoting virtual education, creating enterprises, opening markets, and misappropriating public funds.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia highlighted socio-economic inequalities and opportunistic behavior.
• Containment strategies had differential impacts, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
• The crisis revealed a systemic exploitation by established sectors for personal and financial gain.