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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– What are the implications of President Gustavo Petro’s accusations of an “institutional rupture” on Colombian democracy?
**Interview with Political Analyst About President Gustavo Petro’s Recent Allegations**
**Host:** Welcome to our program. Today, we have a special guest, Juan Martinez, a political analyst specializing in Colombian politics, to discuss recent statements by President Gustavo Petro regarding what he describes as an “institutional rupture” aimed at removing him from power. Juan, thank you for joining us.
**Juan Martinez:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** To start, could you clarify what President Petro means by “institutional rupture”?
**Juan Martinez:** Certainly. President Petro has expressed that he believes there is a systematic effort, particularly from the Prosecutor’s Office, to undermine his presidency. He alleges that this institution is being used by corrupt sectors, including drug traffickers and certain politicians, to orchestrate a campaign against him. In his view, the investigations into his administration, including one regarding alleged illegal campaign financing, are politically motivated attempts to discredit him and destabilize his government [[1](https://www.telesurenglish.net/petro-denounces-institutional-breakdown-in-colombia/)].
**Host:** He called for popular mobilization in his support. How significant is this appeal for mass mobilization in Colombian politics?
**Juan Martinez:** It’s quite significant, actually. Petro’s call for the public to mobilize reflects his awareness of the polarized political climate in Colombia. Historically, presidents who have faced similar pressures have rallied their bases through public demonstrations. However, this kind of rhetoric can also escalate tensions, as seen with reactions from various political figures, including Senate President Iván Name, who appeared to caution against what he described as a potential call for civil confrontation [[1](https://www.telesurenglish.net/petro-denounces-institutional-breakdown-in-colombia/)].
**Host:** You mentioned the investigations into alleged campaign financing. How serious are these allegations, and what could they mean for Petro’s administration?
**Juan Martinez:** The allegations are serious because they strike at the core of electoral integrity. If the Prosecutor’s Office substantiates claims of unreported campaign contributions, it could lead to significant legal repercussions for Petro, including potential impeachment. This also fosters a narrative of corruption that could erode public trust in his administration, further complicating his efforts to govern effectively [[1](https://www.telesurenglish.net/petro-denounces-institutional-breakdown-in-colombia/)].
**Host:** Lastly, what should we watch for in the coming weeks as this situation develops?
**Juan Martinez:** We should closely monitor how Petro’s supporters respond to his call for mobilization, as well as any shifts in the political landscape prompted by public sentiment. Additionally, developments within the Prosecutor’s Office and any forthcoming legal actions will be crucial. If the situation escalates, we might see increased tensions between the executive branch and judicial authorities, impacting other areas of governance in Colombia [[1](https://www.telesurenglish.net/petro-denounces-institutional-breakdown-in-colombia/)].
**Host:** Thank you, Juan, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to observe how this plays out, and we appreciate your expert perspective.
**Juan Martinez:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important time for Colombian democracy.
**Host:** That wraps up our segment on the current political situation in Colombia. Stay tuned for more updates.
