Colombian President Petro Criticizes Ministers’ Attitude During Cabinet Meeting
Meeting of the Colombian cabinet of ministers, Feb. 4, 2025. X/ @ExtraNoticiasCo
February 5, 2025 Hour: 11:15 am
Interior Minister Cristo suggested that all ministers resign to allow Petro to make the necessary changes.
On Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the attitude of some of his ministers during Tuesday’s televised cabinet meeting, when the existence of fractures in his administration was revealed.
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“I decided that the cabinet would be exposed to the people to obtain a response from the cabinet regarding this non-compliance,” he said, referring to the government’s commitments that have not yet been fulfilled.
“They preferred to evade the response and launch the cannibalistic and self-destructive attack that is a historical tradition not only of the left but of Colombia,” Petro added.
“As I had asked, those who want to campaign can leave. They are free. Those who want to work on the fulfillment of the program can stay. The government will be adjusted according to the level of execution of each ministry,” the Colombian president warned.
Following the cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo proposed the resignation of the entire cabinet. He called the cabinet “unsustainable” and suggested that the ministers resign to allow Petro to make the necessary changes. Cristo criticized the way internal differences were handled and regretted that the council was broadcast on television
The crisis was sparked by the controversy surrounding former ambassador Armando Benedetti, accused of corruption, who was named head of the Presidential Office. Tensions also arose with Vice President Francia Marquez and the new Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia.
“On February 4, President Petro and his cabinet held a tense and controversial cabinet meeting… Vice President Marquez criticized the return to the government of former ambassador Armando Benedetti as chief of staff,” Diario Panorama reported.
“Each minister has a responsibility, and the Council of Ministers is the space that defines how to fulfill promises to the Colombian people. Today we did not do that and we blurred this space. It is a night for reflection,” Marquez said.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE – KCH FM RADIO
