Colombia’s first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, came to power two years ago, on August 7, 2022. Elected on the promise of ambitious social reforms that he struggled to get passed due to a lack of a majority in Congress, the head of state is facing challenges in implementing the “total peace” to which he aspires, to the violence of the armed groups still active linked to drug trafficking. To achieve it, Mr. Petro pleads, in an interview with World, for the decriminalization of drugs worldwide. Regarding the victory of Nicolas Maduro in the presidential election in Venezuela, decreed by the Chavista government and contested by the opposition, he calls on Caracas to carry out a vote count ” transparent ” And “under international control” of the vote.
Before the presidential election of July 28 in Venezuela, you tried in vain to have a document signed in which the government and the opposition would have committed to recognizing the result of the vote…
For months, Mexico has been trying with the help of Norway, or myself with the United States and Europe, to build a framework so that the political situation in Venezuela does not degenerate into a violent armed conflict. If that happened, it would inevitably have an impact on Colombia. Venezuela’s path must be one of peace and democracy. In a democracy, there are no exceptions: the people must have the power to elect their leaders.
What is your position on the current situation?
Whatever the will of the Venezuelan people is, it will be respected by Colombia. This is a delicate moment and all parties must be prepared to manage it peacefully. We await the report of the observers and we also invite the Venezuelan government to carry out a transparent vote count, with a vote tally and minutes, under international control. We are in permanent contact with all sectors of Venezuela to guarantee the best for the future of Venezuelans, and we are convinced that all political actors will respect the final decision of the people.
What is your main satisfaction from the first two years of your mandate?
It is undoubtedly the reduction of poverty. After a very sharp increase with the Covid-19 crisis, our policies have made it possible to lift 1.6 million people out of poverty in 2023, compared to 2022, i.e. 10% fewer poor people. [le taux de pauvreté s’établit aujourd’hui à 33 % au niveau national, mais 41 % dans les zones rurales].
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