Colombia live streams its Council of Ministers, exposing tensions within Petro's government
Several positions tendered their resignations after the whole country witnessed tension between members of the socialist leader's executive cabinet.
Gustavo Petro and his new chief of staff, Benedetti.
The government of Colombia, led by Gustavo Petro, wanted to put its transparency and democracy on display this week and live broadcast its Council of Ministers for the entire country. Perhaps what the socialist's executive did not expect was the controversy unleashed by the exchanges and interventions of the cabinet members, which the public witnessed.
After said session, which featured some controversial words as well as clashes between ministers, there were numerous resignations, including that of Minister of Culture Juan David Correa and Director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency Jorge Rojas.
Along with these resignations, Minister of the Interior Juan Fernando Cristo suggested that all ministers tender their resignations to allow for a cabinet reshuffle.
President's criticism of his ministers
During the meeting, Gustavo Petro criticized his ministers for not complying with the promised progressive agenda, noting that "the president is revolutionary, the government is not." He expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress on the commitments made and emphasized the need for greater coherence between his policies and the actions of the cabinet.
One of the most tense moments occurred when Environment Minister Susana Muhamad and Vice President and Equality Minister Francia Marquez questioned the appointment of Armando Benedetti as chief of staff.
Benedetti is the target of some pending accusations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife, which raised negative sentiments from some cabinet members.
"As a feminist and as a woman I cannot sit at this cabinet and progressive project table with Armando Benedetti," stated the environment minister. Nor did the members approve of the appointment of Laura Sarabia, only 30 years old, as head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sarabia has been involved in several scandals and already resigned from her previous posts after it was revealed that she was harassing her nanny, whom she forced to submit to a lie detector test.
Benedetti's threats
It is important to remember that Benedetti and Petro were at the center of a controversy that also involved Laura Sarabia. When Benedetti was ambassador to Venezuela, he sent Sarabia, then Petro's chief of staff, threatening messages, according to which Benedetti had information about Petro's campaign funding that could overthrow the government and send people to jail.
The meeting was also marked by unusual moments, such as the statement by Department of Social Prosperity Director Gustavo Bolívar: "I love you, president," which provoked an uncomfortable laugh from Petro.
Another moment that went viral on social media and in the press was when one of Petro's ministers reminded those in the meeting that the session should end soon due to that a soccer game was about to start. These comments, like the others, also stoked criticism from citizens and the media.
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