According to the president’s post on X, instructions will be issued to the entire country “after the shameful spectacle of a minority of congressmen trying to silence those they should obey: the Colombian people.”

After the proposal to hold a referendum failed in the Senate on May 14, Petro stated that the process was plagued by fraudulent maneuvers and irregularities and called on citizens to declare themselves in a permanent assembly in defense of their rights.

The president requested the holding of open town hall meetings, a mechanism recognized by the Constitution that allows citizens to discuss matters of public interest with local authorities. He also urged consideration of calling a national strike.

“The national strike must be an example of active nonviolence. It should not harm the middle classes or the poor, nor the security forces (…) The president will obey the popular decision made in the municipal assemblies,” Petro stated.

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