petro Apology too Patriotic Union Sparks Controversy, Accusations, and Calls for Justice
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A formal apology from Colombian President Gustavo Petro to victims of the Patriotic Union (UP) political party has ignited a political firestorm, with a leading opposition figure questioning the president’s integrity and prompting a defiant response centered on accountability and national sovereignty. The events unfolded during a public act of recognition on November 9, 2025, in Santa Marta, where Petro acknowledged the state’s co-obligation in the murders of over 6,200 UP members between 1984 and 2000.
State Responsibility and a Plea for Forgiveness
Addressing a gathering of survivors and supporters, President Petro offered a profound apology on behalf of the colombian State. “As head of state,without the State being here,but rather us,the military and police leadership and the civil Government,on behalf of that State that is not here and the one that is here,I ask forgiveness from the Patriotic Union because this State was co-responsible for the political genocide,” he stated. This acknowledgement represents a significant moment in Colombia’s ongoing reckoning with its violent past.
Though, the president also challenged the absence of key figures from the judicial branch, questioning their commitment to upholding the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ rulings and the pursuit of justice for the UP victims. “Where are the presidents of the judicial courts who criticized us yesterday? Why are they not here today?” he asked, implying a lack of unified support for reconciliation.
Opposition Criticism and Accusations of Hypocrisy
The president’s address quickly drew criticism from Senator and presidential candidate María Fernanda Cabal,who shared a segment of the speech on her X account accompanied by the assertion that the president “would not pass a toxicology test.” This inflammatory statement,lacking specific evidence,instantly escalated tensions and prompted widespread debate.
Petro responded to the criticism by revealing a personal appeal to former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez to appear before the Special Justice for Peace (JEP). “And I don’t speak with hate, I told him personally: brother, we are both going to the JEP, it is the truth that must be prioritized,” he recounted. He further stated his concern for Uribe’s well-being, adding, “I am interested in taking care of him and his children and his property.”
A Call to Accusation and Defense of Sovereignty
Shifting from apology to accusation, Petro asserted his commitment to uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable. “But I’m not here to say sorry.Here I come is to accuse,” he declared, criticizing what he described as a lack of responsiveness to his administration’s efforts at reconciliation. He accused opponents of framing his pursuit of social forgiveness as a “pact with drug trafficking.”
The president also alluded to upcoming elections, emphasizing the need to “defend the dignity of national sovereignty.” He warned against threats, stating, “We do not accept threats, if they threaten us we will rise up by millions, as the prophecy is true: ‘If the golden eagle attacks the condor, the American jaguar wakes up. And we are jaguars, males and females, we are jaguars; conscience, we are waking up and they are going to wake us up, perhaps by force, but that awakening will be hurricane and stormy, but happy, joyful.'”
The Energy of Remembrance and a Path Forward
Drawing an analogy to the second law of thermodynamics, Petro emphasized the enduring power of the UP’s legacy. “And the energy of these thousands of people, who were militants of the Patriotic Union and had dreams in the years 82 to 2000, those energies are here again multiplied by thousands. now,we are millions,they cannot assassinate us,now we are the heart,the hope of the people of Colombia,” he proclaimed. He concluded with a powerful call for dignity and resilience, urging supporters to stand firm against those who seek to undermine their progress.
