Colombia’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, believes that Congress and the country’s political forces are approaching a crucial moment of definition. In an interview with AFP in Paris, he warned the opposition against the temptation to overthrow governments and urged them to join a social pact. Recently, demonstrations have been held in Colombia’s main cities against the reforms promoted by Petro’s government, which face difficulties in gaining approval due to the lack of a ruling majority in Congress.
Petro acknowledged that Colombian society and political forces are at a decisive moment and must choose between following the common path of overthrowing governments through parliamentary coups or approaching a social pact based on the construction of new wealth. He pointed out that if the opposition chooses the path of violence to destroy their popular government, the people will respond, but if they accept his invitation, they will be able to build a peaceful, modern, and deeply democratic nation.
The leftist president has faced several political scandals during his administration, including investigations for illegal wiretapping and alleged corruption in the financing of his presidential campaign. In addition, the lack of a majority in Congress has made it difficult to pass key reforms, such as labor reform and agrarian reform. Petro stressed the need to resolve the problem of land tenure in Colombia, which would improve conditions of social inequality and lay the groundwork for the industrialization of the country. He requested the help of the United States and Europe to address land grabbing and proposed to finance the purchase of land from those who own it and give it to those who do not.
On another issue, Petro mentioned that his government has reached ceasefire agreements with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and is in the process of negotiations with the main FARC dissidence, known as the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), to seek peace and stability in the country.