The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, asked all his government ministers to submit their resignations after a tense Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 4. This decision led to the departure of several key officials, including Defense Minister Iván Velásquez, who resigned irrevocably.
Reasons for the Resignation
Velásquez’s resignation came at a time of tensions within the government. During the Cabinet meeting, differences among cabinet members became evident, particularly regarding the appointments of Laura Sarabia as Chancellor and Armando Benedetti as Chief of Staff of the Presidency. These decisions caused disagreements within Petro’s team, contributing to the departure of several ministers.
Who Has Resigned?
Iván Velásquez’s departure was not the only one. Other ministers also submitted their resignations, including:
- Susana Muhamad (Minister of Environment)
- Gloria Inés Ramírez (Minister of Labor)
- Juan Fernando Cristo (Minister of the Interior)
- Juan David Correa (Minister of Culture)
- Jorge Rojas (Administrative Director of the Presidency)
These changes are part of the ministerial reshuffle that Petro deemed necessary for his government.
Gustavo Petro’s Message
From his account on the social network X, President Petro confirmed that there would be changes in his team. “I have requested the formal resignation of ministers and directors of administrative departments,” the president wrote. He explained that these changes aim to improve the fulfillment of the government program supported by the Colombian people.
In statements to the media, Petro also addressed the reasons behind this crisis in his cabinet: “We will remove from the cabinet those who have electoral interests,” he stated. According to him, it is not appropriate to mix political aspirations with public administration.
Statements from the Departing Ministers
Upon submitting her resignation, the Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, stated: “I have submitted my resignation letter to President Gustavo Petro. It is a difficult decision.” She also mentioned that the final decision rested with the president.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labor, Gloria Ramírez, expressed her gratitude to Petro for the opportunity to work in his government. “I will continue fighting for a fairer and more democratic Colombia,” she wrote in her resignation letter. She also assured that her departure would allow her to find new ways to support the government’s political project.
What’s Next for Petro’s Government?
With these resignations, Gustavo Petro will have to reorganize his cabinet and select new ministers to join his administration. Meanwhile, the changes have created uncertainty in the Colombian political landscape. It remains to be seen what impact these decisions will have on the direction of the government and public confidence.
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