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 on President Gustavo Petro’s Recent Statements**
**Host:** Welcome to our political segment today. We have with us Dr. Sofia Ramirez, a political analyst specializing in Colombian politics. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ramirez.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Let’s dive into the recent statements made by President Gustavo Petro. He has accused the Prosecutor’s Office of attempting to initiate an “institutional rupture” aimed at removing him from power. What do you make of these accusations?
**Dr. Ramirez:** President Petro’s accusations reflect a significant level of tension within Colombian politics. His claim of an “institutional rupture” suggests that he believes there are forces actively working against his presidency, which he views as a direct threat to democracy. This narrative of conspiracy and persecution is not uncommon in Latin American politics, but it highlights a growing polarization in Colombia.
**Host:** Petro specifically referred to the Prosecutor’s Office as being taken over by mafia influences and called for popular mobilization in his defense. How do you interpret this call to action?
**Dr. Ramirez:** By calling for popular mobilization, Petro is essentially urging his supporters to protest against what he perceives as an unjust assault on his presidency. This can be seen as an attempt to rally grassroots support and legitimize his position amid ongoing investigations into his campaign financing. It allows him to frame himself as a populist leader under siege, which can galvanize his base.
**Host:** He has also mentioned prior investigations into alleged illegal financing linked to his campaign. What implications could these investigations have for his administration?
**Dr. Ramirez:** If the investigations lead to credible evidence of wrongdoing, they could significantly undermine Petro’s presidency and potentially lead to legal consequences, including impeachment. However, if they are perceived as politically motivated, it might reinforce his supporters’ belief that he is a target of a corrupt establishment. This situation is precarious and could escalate tensions between the executive and judicial branches.
**Host:** The Senate President, Iván Name Vásquez, expressed surprise at Petro’s call for civil confrontation. What effects might such statements have on the broader political landscape?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Yes, Vazquez’s comments suggest that there’s concern about the implications of Petro’s rhetoric. If threats of civil confrontation become more prominent, it could lead to increased instability and divide the nation further. It’s vital for political leaders to de-escalate tensions rather than inflame them, especially in a context where Colombia faces several socio-economic challenges.
**Host:** In light of this political turmoil, what do you foresee for Petro’s administration in the coming months?
**Dr. Ramirez:** The next few months will be critical. If Petro can successfully mobilize support and fend off the investigations without damaging his credibility, he might consolidate his power. However, continuous public discontent and institutional challenges could also push him toward crisis management mode, which could divert attention from his policy agenda.
**Host:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Ramirez. It seems we are in for an interesting and potentially turbulent time in Colombian politics.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me discuss these important developments.
**Host:** And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We’ll continue to follow this story closely.
