Protests against the Petro government: reactions of leaders and sectors to the day

This Sunday, April 21, hundreds of thousands of people protested in the main cities of the country, in the largest demonstration that has ever faced Gustavo Petro's government since he came to power 20 months ago and at a time when his popularity is in the red.

Among the organizers of the day were medical organizations, the opposition, centrist political forces, and some former leftist allies with various clamors: They reject his projects to nationalize the health service, his initiative to convene a National Constituent Assembly and peace negotiations with armed groups that have not stopped the violence.

(See: Petro's presidential campaign expenses that would not have been recorded).

The day generated diverse reactions from different sectors. María Claudia Lacouture, president of AmCham Colombia and the Allied Alliance, He called for the massive march this Sunday in several cities in the country to allow progress in a process of consultation and dialogue with all parties to improve conditions in Colombia.

“Massive participation of citizens reaffirming the message of a country that defends democracy, its institutions, in what has been built to generate improvements through consultation and dialogue with all sectors. What unites us is Colombia“Lacouture said on his X account.

Juan Camilo Restrepo, former Minister of Finance, He stated that the protest showed that the idea of ​​a Petro constituent does not have popular support.

(See: Petro will accompany May 1 marches and will give a speech in Bolívar Square).

“Lhe massive marches bury Petro's intentions to promote a constituent process. Even if he were called illegally, it is clear that he would not have sufficient popular support. Petro should read carefully what the marches mean and draw the consequences. The first of them dismantling the improvised call for a constituent process. That is neither needed nor has popular support“.

He too former Minister of Finance Mauricio Cárdenas He stated that the day demonstrated a feeling of unity among Colombians.

“There is a call from the people to defend the institutions, so that the Political Constitution of '91 is fulfilled and respected. There is also a call for free elections in 2026 and at the same time there is a feeling of unity among all Colombians“.

(See: 'Colombia will continue with a long-standing plan to meet payment obligations': IMF).

Federico 'Fico' Gutiérrez, the mayor of Medellín, He highlighted the absolutely peaceful behavior of those who marched: “There are hundreds of thousands of people in the streets. It is impressive. Historic attendance. Since the marches against the FARC and against the kidnapping, not so many people have taken to the streets.”

Senator Humberto de la Calle, For his part, he asked the Government to rectify, because “His advisors failed: predicting that the march was only from the Democratic Center, rather than a huge error in judgment, was a huge shot in the foot. It is giving that party a victory that was a genuinely citizen mobilization“.

Tomás González, former Minister of Mines and Energy, wrote on his X account “The ruling class?“, questioning a publication by President Petro in which he made reference to the fact that the people who would go out to march this Sunday were “the ruling class“.

(See: Faced with a democratic crisis in Venezuela, Petro proposes that a plebiscite be held).

Former Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Alberto Londoño Martínez He explained that he went out to march through Colombia, “defending the country and our social achievements. Always with respect“.

And Bruce Mac Master, president of the Guild Council and Andi, commented that “We are more than 50 million Colombians, all citizens with an opinion, with a position, with a willingness to debate and discuss. I hope we are all heard“.

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