Colombia's Petro calls on supporters to defend economic reforms in his last presidential speech

BOGOTÁ, Colombia, Outgoing President Gustavo Petro addressed his supporters in a final public speech Monday, urging them to safeguard the social and economic policies enacted during his tenure and to oppose any attempt by the incoming administration to alter key labor laws. The address took place on Colombia’s Independence Day, marking the end of Petro’s presidency, which ended on August 7 with the swearing-in of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella. Petro accused Israel and the United States of meddling in Colombia’s June 21 presidential election, claiming that vote counts were manipulated using Israeli-supplied software. He vowed to release evidence shortly of alleged electoral irregularities. Colombia’s electoral authorities have rejected these claims, maintaining that the election was conducted fairly. Petro also warned his followers that they should prepare for mass protests and organized strikes if the new government attempted to roll back labor reforms that have raised overtime pay and restricted short-term employment contracts. President-elect de la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and U.S.-Colombian citizen, has pledged to slash government spending by up to 40%, introduce new labor laws allowing hourly hiring, and strengthen security measures. His campaign received backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, which fueled accusations of foreign interference in Colombia’s internal affairs. Petro suggested that Trump’s endorsement should lead to the annulment of the election results. Tensions have risen since the election, which saw de la Espriella win by just 250,000 votes. The defeated candidate, Petro’s ally Iván Cepeda, initially accepted the outcome but later stated that he would not recognize de la Espriella as a legitimate leader unless the president-elect renounces his U.S. citizenship. De la Espriella, who previously ran a Florida-based law firm representing figures linked to Colombian paramilitary groups and money-laundering cases, has expressed intentions to terminate ongoing peace negotiations with rebel factions and adopt a hardline strategy against criminal activity, including constructing large-scale detention facilities inspired by El Salvador’s CECOT prison model. De la Espriella has also proposed tax reductions for businesses to encourage higher wages. During Petro’s administration, the minimum wage nearly doubled to approximately $550 per month. The president-elect plans to hold his inauguration at a military base, signaling his alignment with the armed forces. He has also disclosed that rebel groups, including the National Liberation Army and remnants of the FARC, are reportedly offering hitmen up to one million dollars for his assassination. De la Espriella has vowed to confront these threats more aggressively, particularly in rural regions where such groups maintain influence through drug trafficking. Political analysts in Bogotá suggest that de la Espriella will face challenges in pushing through his agenda due to limited congressional support. Sergio Guzmán, a political risk analyst, noted that the president-elect will need to negotiate compromises to achieve his goals, whether it involves reducing budgets or expanding prison infrastructure. Meanwhile, Petro has indicated he might remain active in politics by assuming leadership of his party, the Historical Pact. His objective, according to Guzmán, is to demonstrate continued relevance and ensure that his administration’s initiatives persist within the broader landscape of Colombian political discourse.