Petro announces defamation lawsuits and denounces harassment against his family

Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Sunday that he will pursue civil lawsuits for defamation and slander against anyone who dares to spread falsehoods about him, his family, or the progressive movement. Petro, who will leave office on August 7, stated that he will no longer tolerate what he described as the use of "hatreds and complexes through crime" against him and his loved ones.

“

From now on, without the burden of being the president of all, I will file my complaints and civil lawsuits for defamation and slander against any person who dares to use their hatreds and complexes through crime against me, my family, or the progressivism.

Petro also denounced alleged acts of harassment targeting his parents. He reported that his 83-year-old mother, Clara Urrego, was insulted in front of her home in Cajicá, near Bogotá. His 92-year-old father, Gustavo Petro Sierra, faced a demonstration outside his apartment in the capital. Petro demanded that the police provide video evidence of these incidents to support his upcoming legal complaints.

In a strong condemnation, Petro directed criticism at Abelardo de la Espriella, the president-elect's transition team chief and former M19 guerrilla member Carlos Alonso Lucio. Petro accused them of having been "defenders of paramilitaries" and characterized Colombia's current political climate as "fascism." He urged supporters of the progressive movement to refrain from responding with violence, asserting that their strategy will involve legal recourse, including the previously announced push for the annulment of the recent elections.

“

they were defenders of the paramilitaries

Furthermore, Petro called for the establishment of unarmed "freedom guards" within communities facing threats against leaders and campesinos. These guards, he explained, would operate through communication networks and coordination with authorities. The president emphasized that the progressive movement's approach will be to utilize judicial actions to address grievances and protect democratic values.

“

Colombia is going through a stage that he described as 'fascism'.