Colombian President Gustavo Petro denounced an alleged “institutional rupture” to remove him from power and again accused the Prosecutor’s Office of wanting to investigate him, for which he asked the population for a popular mobilization in his support.
Petro pointed out that “there is a serious constitutional breach when the Prosecutor’s Office investigates the president of the republic,” according to an extensive message published on the social network X.
«They have decided to break the institution. As president of the republic, I must notify the world of the mafia takeover of the Prosecutor’s Office and I must ask the people for maximum popular mobilization for decency,” said the president.
This is not the first time that Petro talks about wanting to remove him from the Presidency, as he already did so on several occasions last month, such as when he commented on a judicial record that the Prosecutor’s Office and the Supreme Court of Justice made at the headquarters of the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (Fecode) in Bogotá.
That raid was carried out as part of an investigation into the alleged illegal financing of Petro’s presidential campaign.
The investigation is based on the alleged contribution of some $127,000 that that union made to Petro’s campaign and that was not reported to the electoral authority, as required by law.
In that sense, Petro assured this Friday that “unions have been raided, torture has been used and pressure has been used on witnesses to accuse the president and they have not been successful.”
“Drug trafficking sectors, perpetrators of crimes against humanity, corrupt politicians and corrupt sectors of the Prosecutor’s Office are desperately seeking the removal of the president from the position elected by the people,” he added.
The Senate calls for restraint
In this regard, the president of the Senate, Iván Name Vásquez, expressed his surprise “at the statement of the President of the Republic suggesting a call for civil confrontation.”
“All expressions and complaints in relation to the interpretations of judicial or political events that are recorded in our country are valid and necessary within our democratic system,” Name said in a message on his X account.
However, the senator clarified, “the answer cannot be the call for the breakdown of institutions as a mechanism to resolve our conflicts. “Any challenge to our democratic institutions must be repudiated within the framework of the Constitution and the law.”
Confrontation with the prosecutor
President Gustavo Petro’s statements come in the midst of a strong political confrontation with the attorney general, Francisco Barbosa, in which they frequently accuse each other of violating the law.
The dispute has an ideological background because Barbosa, close to former President Iván Duque (2018-2022), is accused by his critics of putting the Prosecutor’s Office at the service of political interests to persecute people related to the Government while turning a blind eye to cases that They involve right-wing politicians.
On the other hand, there are those who consider that Petro, who will celebrate two years in power in August, seeks to interfere in the independence of the Judiciary since his own son, the first-born Nicolás Petro Burgos, is being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office for money laundering and enrichment. illicit, crimes that dot his presidential campaign.
In this regard, the president stated that the Prosecutor’s Office will request his “impeachment without hiding that he has carried out an unconstitutional investigation against me seeking the victory that the people did not grant them.”
«A progressive president, the first in a century, cannot be overthrown here, because legally a workers union contributed to a left-wing party. The time has come for popular expression,” concluded Petro.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Maria Gonzalez on President Gustavo Petro’s Recent Statements**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Maria. President Gustavo Petro has recently made quite a stir by claiming there’s an “institutional rupture” aimed at removing him from power. What are your thoughts on his allegations against the Prosecutor’s Office?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. Petro’s comments reflect a deepening tension between his administration and judicial authorities in Colombia. His assertion of a “mafia takeover” of the Prosecutor’s Office suggests he believes there are corrupt elements working against him politically. This kind of language is significant; it frames his challenges as not just political but as a fight against pervasive corruption.
**Interviewer:** He’s called for popular mobilization in response to what he sees as threats to his presidency. How effective do you think this call to action might be?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Mobilization can be a powerful tool, especially in societies with strong political consciousness and commitment to civic action. However, the success of such mobilization depends on various factors, including the public’s perception of the legitimacy of his claims and their overall satisfaction with his presidency so far. Given the serious allegations around campaign financing and corruption, public response may be mixed.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of campaign financing, the investigation into an alleged $127,000 contribution that was not reported appears to be a key issue. How serious do you believe these allegations are for his political future?
**Maria Gonzalez:** The allegations are indeed serious, particularly because they concern compliance with electoral laws. If proven true, they could undermine his credibility and suggest a lack of transparency. This could embolden his opponents and complicate his governing agenda. That said, Petro has consistently framed these investigations as politically motivated, so his supporters may rally behind him rather than distancing themselves.
**Interviewer:** The Senate president has expressed concern over Petro’s call for civil confrontation. How does this dynamic play into the political landscape in Colombia?
**Maria Gonzalez:** This is a typical scenario in polarized political environments. By suggesting a call for civil confrontation, Petro might be pushing for a scenario where he can claim to be standing for the people against a corrupt establishment. However, this also risks escalating tensions and could lead to further instability. The Senate’s call for restraint is an important reminder of the need for dialog and due process amidst these accusations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria. It seems we are witnessing quite a critical moment in Colombian politics.
**Maria Gonzalez:** Absolutely. This situation will need to be monitored closely, as it has implications not just for Petro’s presidency but for democratic norms and processes in Colombia as a whole. Thank you for having me.
