Former guerilla fighter running for president of Colombia envisions new Latin American left
Colombians fell out of the middle class during the pandemic. Violence in many parts of the country has increased, as have the killings of social leaders and environmental activists. Frustration over a proposed tax revision and broader discontent over inequality fueled months of protests last year. In a recent, 84 percent of Colombians said their country was moving in the wrong direction, the second-highest rate among 28 countries surveyed.
“This proposal is part of a tendency of a certain Latin American left that the only way to make profound social changes is through a strong president who does not agree or seek consensus with political forces through Congress, but uses mechanisms of executive orders instead,” said law professor Rodrigo Uprimny, who sat temporarily on the country’s constitutional court.Some U.S. critics worry a Petro presidency would strain relations with Washington.
“The main concern is whether he’s committed to work within the system to promote change,” said Michael Shifter, president of the D.C.-based Inter-American Dialogue, “or whether he’s willing to destroy the system.”If no candidate wins a majority in May, the two top will go to a runoff in June. Petro and his rivals have alleged voting fraud in the country’s electoral system. On Monday, Petro announced he would no longer participate in debates until “voting transparency” is guaranteed.
Across Medellín and Colombia, an anti-Petro resistance is once again gaining force. Conservative politicians and the traditional establishment are rallying behind Gutiérrez. Several civic groups in Antioquia have organized “to help citizens understand the importance of Colombia’s economic model,” according to a Medellín business executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss political matters.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Oregon’s Isaac Johnson, a former American Fork standout, enters transfer portalJohnson heavily considered playing for BYU before committing to and later playing one season with the Ducks.
Read more »
Trial begins for former Theranos president Ramesh ‘Sunny’ BalwaniRamesh “Sunny” Balwani, former president of Theranos Inc., was one-half of a business duo that lied to cheat investors and patients out of money, a government prosecutor told a jury Tuesday as the second criminal-fraud trial involving the defunct blood-testing company got under way.
Read more »
Former Trump personal assistant appears before Jan. 6 committee
Read more »
Former elite prospect Lewis Brinson trying to stick with AstrosThe outfielder plays what he considers Gold Glove defense, but an inability to make...
Read more »
Former Cyber Ninjas CEO, wife can be held responsible for public records from Senate auditFor subscribers: A Maricopa County Superior Court Judge said The Arizona Republic can name the former CEO of Cyber Ninjas and his wife as directly responsible for public records we've tried to obtain for nearly a year.
Read more »