By Ana Perdigón on October 13, 2024
March in Colombia in support of President Gustavo Petro. Photo: Social media.
Colombians took to the streets to protest against the coup d’état that the Colombian right wing is attempting to carry out against President Gustavo Petro. With the slogan “I march against the coup”, various political and social forces of the Colombian left gathered in Plaza Bolívar in Bogotá.
The ruling coalition Historic Pact called for the demonstration that was held this Friday, October 11, to condemn the weaponized investigation launched by the Colombian National Electoral Council (CNE) on alleged irregularities in the limits of the financing of Petro’s presidential campaign.
According to the electoral body, Gustavo Petro exceeded the established spending limits and utilized funding sources that were not declared.
Condemning the accusations against him, the Colombian president stated that the charges brought by the CNE are unfounded, that the body is exceeding its legal capacities, and that his constitutional guarantees are not being respected.
President Petro also denied the accusations against him, calling the investigation a “lawfare” attack.
“If the Colombian right wants to carry out a coup against the government in change, then tomorrow, October 11, we will say ‘I march against the coup,’” Sandra Ramírez, senator for the Comunes Party that is part of the Historic Pact, wrote on social media on. “We will see each other in the streets! They will not be allowed to pass! Some sectors are scared and desperate. Go Colombia! No to the coup d’état!”
The Wayúu indigenous leader Karmen Ramírez Boscán mobilized her community in a show of support for President Petro, in defense of defend democracy and the revolutionary forces.
“Petro’s victory [in the presidential elections] cost us a lot, and we will not allow a few unqualified bureaucrats to violate international law and take away from us the right that we won democratically and fairly at the polls. No to the coup d’état,” the indigenous leader said.
In addition to the protests, the Historic Pact filed a formal complaint before the United Nations, alleging political persecution against President Petro.
Despite the CNE’s attempts to smear Petro, the Colombian people continue to demonstrate their support for the president, as revealed by the latest survey by the Latin American Strategic Center for Geopolitics (CELAG), which showed that 38.2% of the Colombian population has a positive image of the Colombian president.
Source: Red Radio Ve translation Orinoco Tribune