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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In what ways might the ongoing investigation into Petro’s campaign funding affect his claims of an “institutional rupture” according to Dr. Estrada?
**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Lucia Estrada, on President Gustavo Petro’s Claims of an “Institutional Rupture”**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Estrada. Today, we’re discussing a significant development in Colombian politics. President Gustavo Petro has raised serious allegations of what he calls an ”institutional rupture” aimed at removing him from power, specifically targeting the Prosecutor’s Office. What are your thoughts on his statements and the situation at large?
**Dr. Estrada:** Thank you for having me. President Petro’s declarations are undoubtedly alarming. He has framed the ongoing investigation by the Attorney General’s Office as a direct assault on his presidency and the democratic process in Colombia. By calling for popular mobilizations, he is clearly trying to galvanize public support, emphasizing that he believes there is an unconstitutional breach when a sitting president is investigated.
**Host:** Petro has described the Prosecutor’s Office as having been taken over by what he calls “mafia” interests. Can you elaborate on the implications of this claim?
**Dr. Estrada:** Petro’s use of such strong language suggests he sees the legal actions against him not just as political maneuvers but as part of a larger pattern of corruption and abuse within the justice system itself. This rhetoric serves multiple purposes; it reinforces his base’s support by portraying him as a victim of systemic corruption and positions him as a defender of democracy. However, such rhetoric also risks increasing tensions in an already polarized political environment.
**Host:** Interestingly, the President of the Senate, Iván Name Vásquez, has urged caution regarding Petro’s call for mobilization. How do you interpret this response from the Senate leadership?
**Dr. Estrada:** Vasquez’s call for restraint indicates a recognition of the potential volatility of the situation. The Senate’s role in maintaining order in political discourse is critical. By expressing surprise at Petro’s comments about civil confrontation, it seems he is urging a more measured approach to addressing grievances within the political framework, rather than inciting mass protests that could destabilize the situation further.
**Host:** There are serious allegations surrounding Petro’s campaign funding, including an investigation into a $127,000 contribution from a teachers’ union. How might this context influence public perception of his claims?
**Dr. Estrada:** The investigation into alleged illegal financing casts a shadow over Petro’s narrative. While he portrays the probe as an attack from corrupt sectors wishing to displace him, the legitimacy of the claims against him cannot be ignored. Public opinion will largely depend on how transparent and credible the investigation is perceived to be. If the public sees the investigation as politically motivated, Petro might gain sympathy; if they view it as justified, it could catalyze a loss of support.
**Host:** what should we watch for in the coming days as this situation evolves?
**Dr. Estrada:** We should closely monitor both the reaction from Petro’s supporters and the responses from key political figures, particularly within the Senate and other branches of government. Additionally, public sentiment regarding the investigations and Petro’s handling of this crisis will be critical. Ultimately, this could either lead to greater polarization or, paradoxically, to an opportunity for dialog about political reforms in Colombia.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Estrada. It’s clear that the coming weeks will be crucial for Colombia’s political landscape.
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This interview format takes into account the various aspects of President Petro’s claims, the potential public and political reactions, and the implications of the surrounding investigations.
