In his message, the leader called for a united parliamentary caucus and the implementation of stricter regulations for its members.

He stated that Pacto Historico will seek a national agreement to avoid violent confrontation among Colombians and will aim to help “ensure the democratic stability of the countries Simón Bolívar liberated.”

“No-one from Pacto Historico—and I hope no one from the broader Alliance for Life—should vote for those representing a coalition that seeks to criminalize politics and destroy freedom and democracy,” he added, in an apparent reference to Alfredo Deluque, the legislator backed by the incoming government to lead the Senate.

“The Right should not be criminalized simply for being right-wing—I granted them full democratic guarantees during my administration—nor should progressivism be criminalized. The foundation of democracy is political freedom, not its judicialization.

Tomorrow, no one from the Pact (…) must succumb to the temptation of supporting fascism,” Petro declared.

He also regreted that the designated Interior Minister, Rodrigo Lara—whom he accused of having already taken “the first step toward fascism”—was interfering in decisions that belong to the parties.

The members of the new legislature will be sworn in tomorrow.

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