Petro’s UNAM talk sells out as he agrees book deal with Mexico’s FCE

Gustavo Petro’s first international trip since leaving Colombia’s presidency began with his UNAM lecture filling every available place within two hours.

The former president said on X that he would present the final chapter of his book, “Political Economy of the Climate Crisis,” at the National Autonomous University of Mexico on September 2. The lecture, titled “Capital in the 21st Century: Political Economy of the Climate Crisis,” was moved to a larger venue because of demand.

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In only two hours, places for my academic conference at UNAM in Mexico sold out.

Petro said he would explain why “the robotization imposed by the current phase of capital accumulation leads us to fascism.” UNAM’s university program on democracy, justice and society framed the event around the economic, social and political dimensions of the climate crisis, including inequality, energy transition, democracy and the role of the state.

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the robotization imposed by the current phase of capital accumulation leads us to fascism

During the visit, Petro met writer and Fondo de Cultura Económica director Paco Ignacio Taibo II and Taibo’s wife, Paloma Saiz, who directs the Zócalo International Book Fair. Petro said they agreed to publish his book for Spanish-speaking readers and in other languages.

Petro left office on August 7 after governing Colombia from 2022 to 2026. He now leads the left-wing Historic Pact party and has become a prominent opposition voice against the government of Abelardo de la Espriella. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the previous week that she had no planned meeting with Petro and had received no request for one, while welcoming him to Mexico.

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I have no meeting planned, I have not been asked for one, but welcome President Petro.