Colombia: no presidential debate despite a court decision

Colombian businessman and presidential candidate Rodolfo Hernandez refused Thursday, June 16 to participate in a debate with his rival, leftist opponent Gustavo Petro, despite a recent court ruling to that effect.

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"

" which "

," said Rodolfo Hernandez in a message posted on social networks, who however claims to have tried to comply with it.

In the morning, the 77-year-old real estate magnate, who was surprised to qualify for the first round on May 29, had set several conditions for the debate, in particular that it take place in Bucaramanga, a large city in the north of the country where he was mayor. between 2016 and 2019.

Refusal to participate in any face to face

His opponent agreed to these terms almost immediately.

“

”, declared in a public letter Gustavo Petro, who came first in the first round with 40% of the vote.

In doing so, Petro "

" to his advantage, argued Rodolfo Hernandez.

A Bogota court had ordered Wednesday the organization of this debate before Thursday evening on a major public media, after a complaint filed by a group of pro-Petro lawyers.

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Since the start of the presidential campaign, Rodolfo Hernandez has refused to participate in any face-to-face debate.

The real estate magnate, who has focused most of his campaign on the theme of the fight against corruption, mainly uses social networks to address his fellow citizens.

Gustavo Petro has not ceased in recent days to invite him to debate.

The 62-year-old left-wing senator and his 77-year-old outsider, without ideology or party, are almost tied in the polls, for a second round which promises to be particularly tight.