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 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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What are the implications of President Gustavo Petro’s statements regarding an “institutional rupture” for Colombia’s political stability?
**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Laura Torres on President Gustavo Petro’s Recent Statements**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. President Gustavo Petro recently condemned what he calls an “institutional rupture” aimed at removing him from power. Can you explain what prompted these remarks?
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. President Petro’s comments are primarily in response to ongoing investigations by the Colombian Attorney General’s Office. He asserts that these actions are not just legal inquiries but rather part of a broader scheme to undermine his presidency. His frustrations are particularly centered on an alleged raid on the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (Fecode) and claims that his campaign finances are being wrongfully scrutinized. Petro believes these actions are driven by a coalition of corrupt politicians and criminal sectors who want to see him ousted from office [[1](https://orinocotribune.com/president-petro-denounces-attempt-of-institutional-rupture-and-coup-in-colombia/)].
**Interviewer:** He mentioned a call for popular mobilization against these investigations. How significant is this call, and what could it mean for the political landscape in Colombia?
**Dr. Torres:** Petro’s call for mobilization is quite significant as it signifies his direct appeal to his supporters and the general public to rally behind him, potentially increasing political polarization. When a president encourages mass mobilization, it can lead to protests or civil unrest, which can disrupt the normal functioning of government and raise tensions between various political factions. It creates a charged atmosphere where dissent and support can clash dramatically [[1](https://orinocotribune.com/president-petro-denounces-attempt-of-institutional-rupture-and-coup-in-colombia/)].
**Interviewer:** Following his statements, the Senate president expressed surprise and urged restraint. How is the government’s response shaping up, and what might this indicate about the balance of power?
**Dr. Torres:** The Senate president’s call for restraint suggests that there is concern among some political leaders about the implications of Petro’s comments. This response reflects a desire to maintain stability and prevent civil confrontation, which Petro’s rhetoric could incite. It also indicates a potential rift within the government, highlighting a delicate balance of power where institutional respect and political maneuvering are crucial. The division in response signals ongoing tensions not just in Petro’s administration but throughout Colombian politics [[1](https://orinocotribune.com/president-petro-denounces-attempt-of-institutional-rupture-and-coup-in-colombia/)].
**Interviewer:** In your view, what are the potential outcomes of this escalating situation for Petro and his presidency?
**Dr. Torres:** The outcome is uncertain and largely depends on how both the public and political entities respond. If Petro’s supporters mobilize effectively, it could bolster his position and strengthen his narrative of being a victim of political repression. Conversely, if opposition forces leverage the investigations to increase their public support and push for accountability, we might see significant challenges to his presidency. Ultimately, how this situation plays out will be crucial not only for Petro but also for Colombia’s democratic institutions [[1](https://orinocotribune.com/president-petro-denounces-attempt-of-institutional-rupture-and-coup-in-colombia/)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights on this critical situation in Colombian politics.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important issue that many will be watching closely.
