Massive demonstration in Colombia against the government of Gustavo Petro

Gustavo Petro was so fearful of the success of Sunday’s demonstrations against his government in Colombia that he dedicated himself to boycotting them. Last Thursday afternoon, without any prior notice, he ordered that Friday be a “citizen’s day”, a kind of holiday for educational centers and state institutions.

He invited Bogotá residents to take advantage of the long weekend to leave the city under the pretext of reducing water consumption, given the restrictions imposed by the capital’s city council due to the prolonged drought. On social networks their chief bishop joined the presidential effort and priest Alfredo Saade wrote that he had an impact.

In medellin, cali, Bogota, barranquilla one of two bucaramanga Hundreds of thousands of Colombians came out to protest against the president and his clearly statist policies.

In Medellín, at 11:30 am, the District Person’s Office estimated there were 200,000 protesters and they still expected the numbers to increase in the city governed by Federico Gutiérrez, Petro’s rival in the last presidential election.

The success of the call, which came from ordinary citizens and was later joined by opposition political parties, civil associations of various types, as well as social and union leaders, represents a moral defeat for a president who ” Intends to rule on the basis of the people” “to avoid legislative and judicial powers.

Convenors included former ministers and senior centrist or moderate socialist officials of the first Petro government, such as Alejandro Gaviria, who became one of his staunchest critics. It should be noted that of the original 18 ministers appointed in August 2022, only six are still in the cabinet.

The latest Invemar poll survey indicates that 60% of people disagree with his management and 70% believe that the situation is getting worse, an opinion confirmed by the streets. He “Petro get out!“, a cry that became popular at the matches of the Colombian national team, was the most common.

“Despite the success, it is still an absurd demonstration that does not at all affect Petro and his protective intentions,” Carlos Suárez, political analyst and director of Strategy and Power, tells EL Mundo because, among other reasons. The parties that supported it pursue different interests. “Petro plays his game with money, aid, corruption, decrees and other powerful weapons of presidential power exercised with all the guise of a dictator.”

President Gustavo Petro ridiculed the demonstration with a brief message in X and expressed hope of a counter-attack in March the following 1 May. labour day Organized by unions, although they usually do not achieve relevant numbers of attendees. He announced that he would run with them and speak from the stage to defend his government agenda.