Petro's party denounces censorship and protests De la Espriella's investiture in Cali

The Pacto Histórico party, affiliated with outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has denounced alleged censorship by the head of the House of Representatives, Nicolás Barguil. The party also protested the decision by president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella to hold his inauguration ceremony in Cali, rather than the capital.

Members of the left-wing party gathered in the Plaza de Bolívar to express their rejection of Barguil's decision to prohibit the use of the Elliptical Hall for their political declaration. Senator Carolina Corcho stated that excuses related to technical staff or security issues should not supersede constitutional rights to political participation, pluralism, and the exercise of opposition. The congress members asserted that democracy should not be confined by administrative decisions or obstacles to legitimate political opposition, emphasizing that Pacto Histórico holds the largest bloc in Congress.

The protest occurred just hours before De la Espriella's swearing-in ceremony in Cali, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department. This event is unusually taking place at the Arena USC of the Santiago de Cali University, marking the first time it has been held outside Bogotá. The Pacto Histórico party views this move as an unconstitutional measure that incurs unnecessary public expense.

During the gathering, Petro's youngest daughter, Antonella, interacted with supporters, offering words of encouragement. She expressed pride in her father's term, stating, "We were the first, but we will not be the last." The 18-year-old insisted that her father is "well, with his head held high" and will continue to lead the opposition after a vacation. Attendees strategically positioned themselves on the ground to form the word 'Sovereignty' when viewed from above, despite a light rain.

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Es inaceptable e inconstitucional que la representación de la soberanía popular pretenda desplazarse como un comité de invitados supeditado al capricho o a la voluntad personal de un gobernante entrante. En una república democrática no gobierna el deseo de un mandatario; gobiernan la Constitución y el equilibrio de poderes.