This is not the first time that the Petro administration has been found in troubled waters.
His presidency was punctuated by high -level political crises, both at the national and international level.
For example, its awareness of Venezuela and Cuba as mediators in the Colombia peace process has fueled skepticism among the more conservative sectors.
Meanwhile, its ambitious national program, including radical reforms in health care, retirement and labor, has struggled to gain ground in the midst of legislative roadblocks and resistance to opposition.
His government has also faced recurring instability thanks to a series of cabinet changes and internal disputes. Allegations of corruption Surrounding Petro’s son And the financing of its presidential campaign in 2022 has still eroded confidence.
Nevertheless, for some supporters of Petro, his recent confrontation with Trump symbolized his provocative position against American pressure and his commitment to protect Colombian dignity.
Its base – composed of progressive voters, human rights defenders and sectors disillusioned by the interventionist approach of Washington – considers resistance to the hard policies of Trump as an affirmation of national sovereignty.
“I thought what he had done was good,” said Robinson Duarte, an economist who voted for Petro in 2022. “It didn’t distant me from him. I support him.”
Trump’s threat of prices and sanctions, although avoided for the moment, has raised concerns about potential economic repercussions. This could harm candidates aligned by Petro in 2026, especially if economic anxieties persist.
However, experts say that Petro’s resilience in political crises should not be underestimated. His ability to transform moments of confrontation into populist rallying points was a decisive characteristic of his career.
If he manages to supervise Trump’s spit as a position against foreign aggression, he could strengthen his coalition before the 2026 elections.
“He also managed to position himself as a person having the ability to say it [the US] Whether it is an autonomous country, we have dignity and we must understand ourselves in the context of international law, “said Duarte.
“Just because it’s Trump or the most influential person in the world, we are not going to bow in the United States to do politics.”
