Colombian Politics is Stunned by Alliance Between Gustavo Petro and Claudia Lopez
That politics is the art of the possible is too frequently confirmed by those who engage in that activity. Gaining or retaining power sometimes causes politicians to be described as chameleons because of the way they change their positions without embarrassment.
In Colombia, the most recent episode in political life was protagonized by former President Gustavo Petro and former Bogota Mayor and also former presidential candidate Claudia Lopez, until a few days ago two fierce enemies, apparently.
Of the history of hatred and love between these two seasoned politicians, it stands out, for example, that when Petro won the presidency in 2022, Lopez celebrated it and said: “At last we won. We began to write with all the hope a new page in the history of Colombia.”
Lopez accused Petro of “political hitman activity”
But afterward they had several fights when she was mayor of the capital and he was president of the Republic. The apparent hostility between the two reached its highest point during the last presidential campaign, when Lopez, as a presidential candidate, accused Petro of “political hitman activity” and denounced him before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for alleged intervention in the campaign.
But both Petro’s candidate, Senator Ivan Cepeda, and Claudia Lopez lost the elections. Cepeda with an important vote of almost 13 million ballots, and Lopez with a meager 600,000 votes. It was the most resounding defeat of those elections.
Now, Petro and Lopez once again surprise in Colombian politics as they held a meeting with a view to the elections for mayors and governors that will take place next year. And they published a photograph together.
“Time for maximum unity against anti-democracy and anti-patriotism,” Petro wrote on X. “The Alliance for Life must reach the most remote corner of Colombia, help those most in need and secure the greatest number of seats in councils, mayor’s offices and governorships. Be ready to replace a foreign and incapable government.”
“We must put an end to years of sectarianism and unfounded accusations against Angelica [Lozano, his wife] and against me,” Lopez wrote, for her part, on the same social network. “Only the right wing, with mafia and fascist overtones, has taken advantage of this. It is not just about turning the page. It is about rebuilding bridges, trust and common goals. It will take time. Let us toast to the first coffee. No more, no less. I know it brings joy to many, frustration to others and concern to still others.”
Reactions from across the Colombian political spectrum
Reactions to the event came from all sides of the country’s political spectrum. For example, from the Historical Pact side, Gustavo Bolivar, considered one of Petro’s leading figures, wrote on X: “This photo, with the musicians of the Titanic playing while the ship sinks in the ocean […]. Times and priorities have changed. Defeating fascism means uniting all progressive movements in Colombia. Separately, they crush us.”
House Representative Cathy Juvinao, who supported Petro in the 2022 presidential elections and later became a staunch opponent, said: “To Claudia, always, my respect and affection. But I cannot betray the people who reelected me, precisely because I distanced myself from a completely corrupt, authoritarian and mediocre Petroist left-wing project.”
Lopez came out very early this Friday to defend her alliance with Petro and, in an interview with Caracol Radio, assured: “We are a decent sector of progressive politics with which efforts must be united so that it is not the mafia-like right wing that governs the country.”
This caught the attention of the current Government’s Interior Minister, Rodrigo Lara, who also used the social network X to join the debate. “A decent sector… please. They governed with the most atrocious corruption, made pacts with the mafia of ‘Total Peace’ and engaged in politics with the vilest gangs,” he said, but went further.
“Despite this political and continuity-seeking alliance, we are going to overpower and submit them,” Lara added, and issued a warning. “What unites them and what hurts them is this: today we are cleaning the State of their corruption and we are at war against the narcoterrorist organizations allied with that Total Peace.”