Colombia's Petro calls on supporters to defend economic reforms in last presidential speech

By — Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Astrid Suárez, Associated Press By — Manuel Rueda, Associated Press Manuel Rueda, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/colombias-petro-calls-on-supporters-to-defend-economic-reforms-in-last-presidential-speech Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Colombia's Petro calls on supporters to defend economic reforms in last presidential speech World Jul 20, 2026 6:46 PM EDT BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro called Monday on his supporters to protect his government's social and economic reforms and resist any efforts by the incoming administration to change the nation's labor laws. The left-wing leader accused Israel and the United States of interfering in Colombia's recent presidential election, in a lengthy speech Monday that marked the nation's Independence Day and that he said would be his last as the nation's head of state. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and dual U.S.-Colombian citizen, has promised to cut government spending by up to 40% and draft labor laws that will enable companies to hire employees on an hourly basis. He will be sworn in on Aug. 7. Petro doubled down on accusations of electoral fraud, saying he would soon provide evidence on how vote tallies were rigged with the help of software supplied by Israel. Colombia's electoral authorities have dismissed allegations of fraud. Petro also urged his supporters to mobilize "by the millions" and organize strikes if the nation's incoming government tries to change labor laws, which have increased overtime pay and made it harder for companies in Colombia to hire workers on short-term contracts. "We must exercise our opposition in the streets, and resist peacefully ... but in an overwhelming manner," Petro said. Political tensions have increased in Colombia following the June 21 presidential election, which de la Espriella won by a small margin of 250,000 votes. The losing candidate, Petro ally Iván Cepeda, initially recognized the results, but later said that if de la Espriella does not renounce his U.S. citizenship, he will not acknowledge him as a legitimate head of state. Criminal defense lawyer de la Espriella entered politics last year after running a Florida law firm that represented high-profile clients, including former leaders of Colombian paramilitary groups and businessmen charged with money laundering. The lawyer has promised to cancel peace talks between Colombia's government and rebel groups, while implementing an iron-fisted approach to crime that includes building mega prisons, modeled after the CECOT penitentiary in El Salvador. De la Espriella has also said he would like to reduce taxes on businesses, so that they can afford to pay workers higher wages. Under the Pe