Since taking over last August, Petro has submitted several reform projects to parliament to reduce private participation in the healthcare system, redistribute unproductive land, and reform labor and pension regulations.
He has opened negotiations with armed groups in the quest for “total peace” after decades of violence and has vowed to lead the country to a greener future.
Called by the rightwing opposition under the banner “march of the majority,” protesters gathered Tuesday in cities including Bogota, Medellin, Cali, and Barranquilla.
Many waved Colombia’s yellow, blue, and red flags, and held up posters with such messages as: “No to ending up like Cuba or Venezuela.”
In the capital, they marched to Bolivar Square near the presidency and parliament, shouting slogans denouncing Petro and his plans.
Among them, Diego Molano, defense minister under the former rightwing government, accused the Petro government of “weakening institutions” while pointing to what he said was an increase in violence “while the guerrillas get stronger” under the peace process.
“They (the government) are going to destroy pensions and healthcare,” Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal charged at the demonstration in Cali in western Colombia.
On the campaign trail, Petro had vowed to address deep social inequality.
But in a country marked by a deep-rooted fear of the political left — associated with guerrilla groups that sowed decades of misery — the pushback was fierce with rivals seeking to paint him as a radical, Hugo Chavez-style populist.
An ex-guerrilla himself, Petro has lost his majority backing in parliament since coming to power, tying his hands in efforts to pass reforms.
He has also been caught up in a scandal involving an ex- aide’s alleged illegal wiretapping of a nanny suspected of stealing a briefcase full of money.
The president’s popularity has plummeted from about 50 percent in November to 34 percent last month, according to the latest Invamer poll.
AFP
