Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Colombia's main cities on Sunday to protest against the left-wing government of Gustavo Petro, whose popularity is at an all-time low.

Bogotá

Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated in the streets of Colombia's major cities, expressing their discontent with the administration of left-wing President Gustavo Petro. The protests, a significant display of public dissatisfaction, were motivated by recent social and economic reforms introduced by Petro's government. The president's popularity has reportedly reached an all-time low amid growing opposition to his policies.

In the capital, Bogotá, and other cities like Medellín, chants of "Petro out" resonated as protesters voiced their concerns over what they described as poor execution of reforms and policies that contradict the nation's constitution. Critics accuse the government of bypassing statutory laws and undermining democracy through its actions. Among the contentious policies is Petro's proposal to nationalise the healthcare system, a move that follows a failed attempt to revamp the sector which was rejected by a Senate Committee. The proposed nationalisation aimed to diminish the role of insurers and widen access to healthcare.

Additionally, Petro's government is contending with debates over pension and labour reforms, framed by the president as measures to alleviate profound inequalities within the country. However, opponents argue these reforms will exacerbate the economic challenges Colombia faces. Since being elected as Colombia's first leftist president in 2022, Petro's approval ratings have subsequently fallen to record lows. Critics have lambasted his policies as haphazard and unfounded, accusing the administration of lacking in planning and mismanaging public funds.

Public discontent also extends to the ongoing violence and troubled peace negotiations with armed guerrilla groups. Despite Petro's ambitious "total peace" policy aimed at ending six decades of armed conflict, these efforts have encountered significant obstacles, contributing to the mounting frustration among Colombians.



Hundreds of thousands turn out in Colombia to protest Petro

Chants of Petro out boom through Bogota as thousands take to the streets calling for the Colombian president to step down. There were similar scenes in Medellin. Protesters' anger ignited by recent social and economic reforms put forward by the head of state. Poor execution, unfounded reforms that go against our constitution, degrees that are pushed through against what our statutory laws say, disregarding an entire democracy. Among the reforms recently proposed by President Gustavo Petro is a move to nationalise health services. The sector was already the focus of another amendment that was rejected by the Senate Committee earlier this month. The proposal was aimed at stripping power from insurers and expanding access to health care. Pension and labour reforms are also being debated by lawmakers. Petro says the overhauls will rid the country of deep inequality. His opponents disagree. They argue they will further damage Colombia's already struggling economy. Petro's approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low since making history by becoming Colombia's first leftist president in 2022. Gustavo Petro's governmental policies are absolutely absurd, irregular and lack any foundation. It's a government of improvisation, one that has had no planning of any kind. Ministerial cabinets are squandering public funds. Many Colombians are also decrying the violence that continues to mar the troubled peace talks with armed guerrilla groups. Petro's ambitious policy of total peace, attempting to bring an end to six decades of armed conflict, has faced multiple setbacks.

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