(Bogotá) Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Monday called on his fellow citizens to support his left-wing reforms in the streets of the country, waving the threat of a “revolution” if Congress continues to oppose it.
In power since August 2022, President Petro is currently facing a very serious political crisis, with several of his reforms blocked in Congress, despite a coalition of his left-wing majority with the center and the moderate right. He replaced seven of his ministers last week, undermining his government coalition.
“The attempt to slow down reforms can lead to a revolution”, warned the Head of State, in his speech on 1er May, a harangue which was meant to be “on the balcony”, in front of several hundred of his supporters gathered in front of the headquarters of the presidency in Bogota.
“What is needed is for the people to mobilize, as they did with [le héros de l’indépendance Simon] Bolivar,” he pleaded, again calling on peasants, youth and the poor to take to the streets to put pressure on Congress.
“Do not leave us alone in these huge and cold palaces. Don’t leave us alone against the pack of the privileged. It’s time for change and we must not back down […] I invite you to be on the front line of the fight for change, ”said Mr. Petro, taking up the key theme on which he was elected in the summer of 2022.
By replacing seven of his 18 ministers last Wednesday, President Petro broke with the traditional parties that had supported him at the start of his term.
The president justified this new “emergency government” as a reaction to a “Congress which has not been able to approve a few simple and very peaceful articles”, on a bill for the equitable distribution of land in particular, and after the rejection by parliamentarians of a disputed reform of the health system.
In his Workers’ Day speech, Mr Petro referred to the massive protests faced by his conservative predecessor Ivan Duque (2018-2022).
“Thanks to this struggle, I am here […]this social explosion of popular youth has put the need for change at the center of the country”, estimated the left-wing leader, under the cheers of his supporters chanting “Petro, my friend, the people are with you” and “resistance”. .
“We are not far from dialogue”, added Mr. Petro in conclusion, however, apparently leaving the door open to political dialogue.
From her stronghold of Cali (west), Vice-President and Afro-Colombian Francia Marquez, representing the left wing of Petro’s left-wing “Historical Pact”, delivered a vigorous speech in support of the head of state.
“Today the Colombian people showed who is in charge in this country. The Colombian people are in charge, the Colombian peasants are in charge, the Afro-descendants, the peasants are in charge, the young people are in charge”, launched Mr.me Mark.
“Long live the ‘First line'”, she added, referring to the protesters at the head of the spring 2021 demonstrations in this same city of Cali, which gave rise to very violent clashes.
A polemical phrase immediately taken up by the national press, and vilified by the right-wing opposition as support for “terrorists”, according to the expression of Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal.