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 President Petro’s calls for popular mobilization impact the political stability in Colombia?
**Interviewer**: Welcome to our program. Today, we have with us political analyst Dr. Laura Méndez to discuss the recent remarks made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding the investigations against him by the Prosecutor’s Office. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Méndez.
**Dr. Méndez**: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time in Colombian politics, and I’m glad to be here to discuss it.
**Interviewer**: President Petro recently accused the Attorney General’s Office of attempting an “institutional rupture” to remove him from power, calling for popular mobilization in support of his presidency. What do you make of these allegations?
**Dr. Méndez**: Petro’s comments reflect a deepening political crisis in Colombia. By claiming that the Prosecutor’s Office is acting unconstitutionally, he is framing his situation as a struggle against corrupt institutions trying to undermine democratic governance. This strategy appeals to his base, suggesting that he is a victim of a conspiracy involving powerful interests against his administration.
**Interviewer**: He went so far as to describe the actions of the Prosecutor’s Office as a ”mafia takeover.” What implications does this rhetoric have for Colombia’s political landscape?
**Dr. Méndez**: Such strong language can polarize public opinion. It rallies his supporters but also raises questions about institutional integrity. It could lead to civil unrest, especially if his call for mobilization is taken up by large segments of the population. Furthermore, it places pressure on political institutions, potentially complicating the judicial processes that are supposed to function independently.
**Interviewer**: Petro cites an investigation regarding alleged illegal campaign financing from labor unions, stating that various forms of pressure and intimidation have been used against his supporters. How credible are these claims?
**Dr. Méndez**: While accusations of intimidation in political contexts are not uncommon, the assertion that unions and witnesses have been pressured would need concrete evidence for validation. The investigation related to the reported $127,000 contribution raises legitimate concerns about electoral transparency, but how these investigations are conducted is crucial. The political environment in Colombia has seen similar allegations before, adding layers of complexity to understanding the truth behind these claims.
**Interviewer**: The President of the Senate, Iván Name, expressed concern about Petro’s call for civil confrontation. How should political leaders navigate such a volatile situation?
**Dr. Méndez**: Political leaders must prioritize dialog and reconciliation. While it’s essential to address grievances, escalating tensions through calls for confrontation can lead to instability. A focus on democratic processes and judicial integrity, free from political manipulation, would help foster a more peaceful political environment. Leadership during crisis moments is critical; they should seek to unite rather than divide.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Méndez, for your insights into this unfolding situation in Colombia. It’s clear that the coming weeks will be pivotal for President Petro and the Colombian political landscape as a whole.
**Dr. Méndez**: Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a crucial moment for Colombia, and how these events unfold will have lasting implications for its democracy.
