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 search 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 Juan Pablo Mendez on Gustavo Petro’s Recent Statements
### Interview with Political Analyst Juan Pablo Mendez on Gustavo Petro’s Recent Statements
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Juan Pablo. President Gustavo Petro has recently claimed that there is an “institutional rupture” attempting to remove him from power. What are your thoughts on the implications of this statement?
**Juan Pablo Mendez:** Thank you for having me. Petro’s declaration of an “institutional rupture” indicates a significant level of distress within his government. He is suggesting that there’s a coordinated effort, particularly from the Prosecutor’s Office, to undermine his presidency. This kind of rhetoric is generally alarming as it can lead to further polarization in Colombian politics.
**Interviewer:** He specifically mentioned that he sees a “mafia takeover” of the Prosecutor’s Office. How does this reflect on the state of institutions in Colombia?
**Juan Pablo Mendez:** Petro’s comments reflect a deep distrust in judicial institutions. When a sitting president publicly accuses state entities like the Prosecutor’s Office of being compromised or politically biased, it raises questions about the integrity of those institutions and their role in democracy. His call for popular mobilization suggests that he is not only appealing to his supporters but also trying to position himself as a bulwark against what he perceives as corruption and injustice.
**Interviewer:** The recent investigation into alleged illegal campaign financing seems to be a key issue. How does this factor into Petro’s narrative of being persecuted?
**Juan Pablo Mendez:** Absolutely. The investigation involving a reported $127,000 contribution from a teachers’ union to his campaign is central to his claims of persecution. Petro argues that the scrutiny he faces—raids and pressures on unions—are attempts to destabilize his administration. By framing it this way, he seeks to consolidate his base by casting himself as a victim of political machinations, which is a strategy often seen in Latin American politics.
**Interviewer:** What have been the responses from other political figures, such as Senator Iván Name Vásquez, regarding Petro’s accusations?
**Juan Pablo Mendez:** Senator Iván Name expressed surprise at Petro’s call for civil mobilization, suggesting that such a statement could incite civil confrontation. This response highlights a concern among political leaders about the potential for unrest. While Name acknowledges the validity of political expressions in a democratic system, he indicates that there’s a fine line between dissent and incitement.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, what are the potential consequences of Petro’s actions and statements on Colombian democracy?
**Juan Pablo Mendez:** This situation could lead to a dangerous spiral of politicization of judicial actions and public unrest. Petro’s framing of the issues as confrontational could exacerbate existing divisions in Colombian society. If his calls for mobilization gain traction, we could see increased tensions and possibly protests, which might challenge the stability of the governance structures in place. It’s a critical moment for Colombia’s democracy, and how it plays out will be pivotal for the future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Juan Pablo, for your insights. This topic is crucial as Colombia navigates these turbulent political waters.
**Juan Pablo Mendez:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal time and requires careful attention from both leaders and citizens alike.