One of the first to defend Taboada was Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez, who, in response to Senator Gustavo Bolívar, assured that the new official should not be judged for being the daughter of the former minister and today ambassador to the UN in Switzerland, Alicia Arango.
It is unacceptable that the merits of a young and great professional are called into question for having an outstanding mother in politics, and both praise public service in their own right. With technical independence and great rigor, Bibiana #Woman will show that YES we can
– Marta Lucía Ramírez (@mluciaramirez) February 4, 2021
Senator María del Rosario Guerra also spoke out in this regard and wished Taboada and Mauricio Villamizar, also appointed as co-director of the Issuer.
My recognition of the great work of Gerardo Hernández and Ana Fernanda Maiguashca, who are finishing their term as members of the board of directors of the @BancoRepublica Successes for Mauricio Villamizar and Viviana Taboada, who arrive as new co-directors. @MinHacienda
– Maria del Rosario Guerra (@charoguerra) February 3, 2021
Bruce Mac Master, President of ANDI, also celebrated the arrival of the new co-directors.
With the two new co-directors of @BanRepublica a new generation of economists comes to the Board. Mauricio Villamizar brings all the technical knowledge of the Bank and Bibiana Taboada brings the vision of those who have worked on issues of overcoming poverty, they will enrich the debate
— Bruce Mac Master (@BruceMacMaster) February 3, 2021
Conservative Party senator David Bargui highlighted the academic merits of the incoming officials.
Excellent professionals @mauriciovillam and Bibiana Taboada who will be doing a very important job. His professional qualities and extensive academic preparation are a guarantee of success in management. https://t.co/sAjbWTXCHf
– DAVID BARGUIL (@davidbarguil) February 3, 2021
But not everything is there. In an interview with La República, Leonardo Villar, general manager of the Banco de la República, said there are no reasons to prejudge the arrival of Taboada to the co-direction of the financial authority.
A rain of criticism fell on Taboada for being the daughter of Arango and for those who consider that she does not have enough academic experience for it.
Government critics, such as journalist Félix de Bedout, went one step further:
The Bank of the Republic as ‘Gourmet Jam’.
– Félix de Bedout (@fdbedout) February 3, 2021