The marches promoted and called by President Gustavo Petro to show popular support and take a mass bath just as he faces the worst crisis of his 10 months of his presidency have shown ardor. After two weeks of political crisis, he managed to show that he is not alone. He said it himself, in those words and speaking of himself in the third person, during a speech on an improvised platform in a narrow area of the emblematic Seventh race, at the entrance to Plaza de Bolívar, in the historic heart of Bogotá: "Petro is not alone."
Hundreds of Colombians participated in the march. Nathalia Angarita
In his speech, broadcast by the RTCV public media system and before hundreds of followers, the president reiterated the request to take to the streets to demand that Congress approve the three social reforms that are stalled, to the health, pensions and labor systems. But he also announced two new reforms, which he would present next semester, to the higher education system and public services. He also reiterated his thesis that there is a "soft coup" underway against him.
"Petro, friend, the people are with you," those present interrupted his speech several times. Surrounded by several of his ministers and Vice President Francia Márquez, the president also mentioned that his mandate is one of fighting impunity. He announced that he will present a "shortlist against impunity" for the future attorney general, as a replacement for who has become his political rival, Francisco Barbosa.
The march began around 9:30 a.m. in Bogotá's National Park. There, in the back of the marchers, was the Minister of Labor, Gloria Inés Ramírez, who leads the labor and pension reforms. "Today we face a major offensive against reforms, and we call for balance and respect," he said. At the head of the demonstrators was Petrista Senator Wilson Arias, who from a CGT union center van launched harangues, such as "we want to tell the prosecutor out! People responded with cheers and applause.
The demonstrators are largely public officials and trade unionists, students of the public technical education entity, SENA, and people from the indigenous and Afro-Colombian movements, especially Soy porque somos, the platform of Vice President Francia Márquez.
(News in development)
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