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 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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**How might Petro’s call for “maximum popular mobilization for decency” impact public perception and political stability in Colombia?**
**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Maria Elena Torres on President Gustavo Petro’s Recent Allegations**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. We’ve seen Colombian President Gustavo Petro make some serious allegations against the Prosecutor’s Office, claiming that there is an “institutional rupture” aimed at removing him from power. What is your take on this situation?
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. This situation is quite complex and points to significant tensions within Colombia’s political landscape. President Petro’s accusation that the Prosecutor’s Office, influenced by corrupt elements, seeks to illegitimately investigate him raises questions about the independence of judicial institutions in the country. He suggested that there is a mafia-like takeover of the Prosecutor’s Office, which is a significant claim that, if true, undermines the rule of law.
**Interviewer:** Petro has called for a “maximum popular mobilization for decency.” What does this imply about his strategy moving forward?
**Dr. Torres:** By calling for popular mobilization, Petro aims to galvanize public support and present himself as a victim of political persecution. This tactic is not uncommon in politics, especially when a leader feels under threat. He is trying to appeal to his base and potentially sway public opinion against the judicial actions being taken against him.
**Interviewer:** He referred specifically to a raid on the Colombian Federation of Education Workers linked to accusations of illegal campaign financing. What are the implications of this investigation?
**Dr. Torres:** The allegations of illegal financing are serious, especially given the context of political campaigns and election integrity. If proven true, it could damage Petro’s presidency significantly. However, Petro insists that these actions are part of a broader conspiracy involving drug trafficking and corrupt politicians, which suggests he is trying to shift the narrative toward defending his administration rather than addressing the allegations directly.
**Interviewer:** The President of the Senate, Iván Name Vásquez, expressed surprise at Petro’s statements, suggesting they could incite civil confrontation. How should we interpret this reaction?
**Dr. Torres:** Vasquez’s reaction indicates that there is concern within the political establishment about how Petro’s statements might escalate tensions. Calls for civil mobilization can be interpreted in various ways and may provoke responses from both supporters and opponents. This could indeed lead to volatility, which is something every political figure in Colombia, especially in positions of authority, wants to avoid.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what could be the potential outcomes of this political turmoil for Colombia?
**Dr. Torres:** The outcome largely depends on how the judiciary and political actors respond to this situation. If the investigations proceed without political interference, it could strengthen democratic institutions. However, continued escalation could lead to a crisis of legitimacy for the presidency and intensified divisions within society. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether this will lead to a serious institutional breakdown or a recommitment to rule of law in Colombia.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights on this pressing issue in Colombian politics.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me, it’s a critical moment for Colombia, and I look forward to seeing how events unfold.
