The reactions to the CNE presentation against Gustavo Petro

The CNE approved this Tuesday, October 8 the presentation that accuses Gustavo Petro’s campaign of exceeding spending limits by more than $5.3 billion (US$1.27 million) and of receiving contributions from legal entities, which is prohibited by the electoral law.

This decision allows investigate Petro, as a presidential candidate, for his campaign during the 2022 elections (‘Gustavo Petro president 2022-2026’). Also involved are Ricardo Roa Barragán (current president of Ecopetrol and Petro campaign manager), Lucy Aidee Mogollón Alfonso (treasurer of the campaign), auditors María Lucy Soto Caro and Juan Carlos Lemus Gómez. In addition, the Colombia Humana Political Movement and Patriotic Union parties are included.

Given the situation, different political sectors expressed their opinion on the matter. In the opposition, Senator María Fernanda Cabal expressed through her X account that: “There are no ‘coups d’état’; this is called the rule of law, where institutions are respected. We are not in a dictatorship.” Furthermore, in another publication he added: “Let justice operate!”

(Read: The scenarios for Ricardo Roa after approval of the formulation of charges from the CNE)

On the other hand, Paloma Valencia stated: “The National Electoral Council has decided to open an investigation into President Gustavo Petro and his campaign manager, now president of Ecopetrol. This does not affect the presidential jurisdiction, but it is a step towards justice. It is key that the Prosecutor’s Office stops delaying the investigations into possible campaign financing crimes.

(Read: ‘The coup d’état has begun’: Petro on the indictment of charges by the CNE)

Another voice was the former Minister of Finance, José Manuel Restrepo, who stated: “Dura lex, sed lex. If we want to build in democracy and respect its ways, the first step is to abide and be respectful of the institutions of Colombia 🇨🇴. Much more so for those who constitutionally must represent national unity and swear to comply with the constitution and the law, according to art 188 of the political constitution”.

(Read: The figures that do not add up and for which they opened an investigation into Petro’s campaign)

However, he also sent a message of conciliation between the parties to the presentation. “Of course, always respecting the right to challenge decisions and defend the corresponding actors, within the framework of what the constitution and the law provide.”

Unconditional support

But it wasn’t just criticism that rained down on the president. Sectors and personalities close to the Government or within it demonstrated disagreement. Internationally, Spanish representative Irene Montero sent support to Petro and wrote through X: “A coup d’état begins in Colombia: the dirty judicial war breaks the rules of the rule of law to overthrow a government of the people, a reference for peace and human rights.”

On the other hand, the representative to the chamber for Human Colombia, Heráclito Landinez, stated: “The National Electoral Council is violating the 1991 Constitution by ordering charges against the president. That competence is exclusive to the Commission of Investigations and Accusations of the House of Representatives.”

(Read: What’s coming and other keys to understand the CNE’s decision on Petro’s campaign)

While Gustavo Bolívar, former senator, assured: “CNE did not investigate Duque for petty politics.
He did not investigate Santos for Odebrecht. They investigate Petro without having the powers. That is called a coup d’état. “We will not let them steal from their desks what they lost in the territories and at the polls.”

PORTFOLIO