Petro: Many critics of the Constituent Assembly are “lovers of paramilitary governance”

The Colombian president, Gustavo Pedroassured this Tuesday that “many of those who oppose” the constituent assembly proposed by him do so because they are “lovers of paramilitary governance”, in reference to the politicians’ links with groups such as the extinct Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. (AUC).).

“To be honest with the debate: many of those who oppose a constituent process that makes citizens protagonists of fundamental reforms do not do so because they are lovers of Constitution of 91but because they are lovers of paramilitary governance and corruption regime that after the promulgation of the Constitution it was de facto imposed in the country“Petro spoke out on the social network X.

READ TOO: Colombia: Justice of the Peace accepts former paramilitary leader Mancuso and will exclusively decide his freedom

Last Friday, the head of state opened an unexpected debate on the Constitution when proposing the convening of a national constituent assembly given the difficulty it has in getting the Congress approve his reforms, where his support has waned.

However, the president insisted this Tuesday that he does not intend to “to replace” O Constitution 1991, which he says was “fruit of the peace agreement between the State and M-19”guerrilla of which he was a part.

“The constituents do not always revoke, but they recover what counter-reform and add what in due course a Constitution could not declare. In this case, I insist, the Constitution 91 was not applied because it was immediately replaced by a de facto regime: paramilitary governance or corruption regime“, he said.

This is why he stated: “It is time to change this, to recover institutions for citizens and to guarantee the fundamental aspects that were not achieved 33 years ago.” could implement”.

TO KNOW MORE: Petro says he will not promote a constituent assembly to be re-elected in Colombia

Unexpected ‘support’

The initiative was criticized by politicians of all stripes, including some who supported Petro in the 2022 presidential elections.

However, the president’s proposal received unexpected ‘support’ from the former vice president this Tuesday. German Vargas Llerasright-wing party leader Radical change and one of the main opponents Petro.

“Let’s support the Petro Constituency, no more blackmail, no more threats, let’s get together and defeat him in his electorate. President Petro is right, it is very important that the people decide, but the people are the ones who all Colombiansnot just affiliates”to the unions, expressed Vargas in X.

He former vice presidentwho held this position between 2014 and 2017, proposed “millions of Colombians” who are “Medium of uncertainty” which they organize before a possible convocation of a national constituent assembly.

“O Constituent It is a democratic mechanism that we can respond to and be in the majority, and thus put an end to this bloodshed into which the current Government of ‘change’ has plunged us. Welcome to the constituent assembly, let’s pave the way for a political consensus that allows us to move forward. And within it determine what the country’s direction will be.“, he stated Vargas Lleras.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.