Petro prompts Colombian government chaos with demand for resignations
Al JazeeraFEB 8
Colombia's Defense Minister Resigns Amid Cabinet Crisis
Above: Colombia's Defense Minister Iván Velazquez speaks during a press conference after his visit to the Catatumbo region in Cucuta, Norte de Santander Department, on Jan. 24, 2025. Image copyright: Schneyder Mendoza/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Colombian Defense Minister Iván Velazquez — the last remaining member of Pres. Gustavo Petro's original cabinet — submitted his irrevocable resignation on Tuesday, becoming the latest to exit the government amid a cabinet crisis.
This comes as Petro on Sunday called for his entire cabinet — ministers and senior officials — to submit their protocol resignation citing the need for major changes in the government to fully comply with his election program.
Velazquez is the sixth minister to resign so far. Environment Minister Susana Muhamad was the first to quit the government, before the presidential request, with Labor Minister Gloria Inés Ramírez, Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, Culture Minister Juan David Correa, and Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo following suit.
The Spin
Narrative A
As if violence in northeastern Colombia and a diplomatic crisis with Trump were not enough trouble, Petro is facing an internal cabinet rebellion and has lost credibility among citizens. His supporters may claim that he has exposed officials who were working for their own benefit, but Petro now risks being unable to govern.
Narrative B
It's only natural that ministers are quitting the government after Petro called them to submit formal resignations — and this is actually good for Colombia. Petro has only 18 months left in his presidential term and much work to do to fulfill the program people voted for, so those in charge must be committed to the government's agenda.
Metaculus Prediction
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