It's not easy being Colombia's 1st left-wing president
NPR Online NewsMAR 3 2024
Petro: Colombia's Military Lost Ammunition, Grenades, and Missiles
Image copyright: Guillermo Legaria/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Corruption is a sickness that has crept across Colombia's military. Some military officers sell state property to international arms traffickers for personal gain, thus fueling the illegal weapons market. This is equipment that, in the wrong hands, may harm and kill Colombian troops or decimate countries like Haiti. Inspections will continue until the entire extent of this criminal conduct is identified and shut down.
Narrative B
Petro is a controversial president, a leftist, and a former member of the M-19 rebel organization. It's ironic he discusses military corruption when several members of his family have either been indicted — like his son or will be charged shortly, like his brother, for accepting payments from drug traffickers in exchange for judicial privileges from the Petro administration. Halfway through his four-year term, President Petro has some convincing to do to persuade Colombia's citizens that he can restore peace.