MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, August 16th 2025 - 09:39 UTC

Tag: Gustavo Petro

  • Thursday, August 14th 2025 - 08:50 UTC

    Border incidents escalate diplomatic crisis between Colombia and Peru

    Daniel Quintero, former mayor of Medellín and ally of President Petro, released a video raising the Colombian flag in territory claimed by Peru

    Tensions between Colombia and Peru have risen following a series of incidents in the disputed area of Santa Rosa de Loreto, on the Amazon River. The latest occurred on Monday, when former Medellín mayor and presidential hopeful Daniel Quintero raised the Colombian flag on Chinería Island, territory under Peruvian control. “There is no way I will let Peru take the Amazon River from us… homeland or death,” he declared in a video posted on social media.

    Add your comment!
  • Friday, August 8th 2025 - 10:15 UTC

    Petro escalates border dispute with Peru over Amazon island: “The treaty was violated”

    The dispute revives a long-standing territorial disagreement between the two countries, whose borders were formally established by treaties in 1922 and 1929

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro escalated a diplomatic conflict with Peru on Thursday by accusing Lima of violating border treaties over the disputed sovereignty of Santa Rosa Island, located in the Amazon River. “Colombia does not recognize Peru’s sovereignty over the so-called Santa Rosa Island and does not recognize the de facto authorities,” Petro declared from Leticia, a Colombian border city that, for the first time, hosted the country’s Independence Day celebrations.

    Add your comment!
  • Friday, July 25th 2025 - 20:13 UTC

    Petro orders all Colombian coal exports to Israel halted

    In Petro's view, 60% of the coal Israel uses for weapons manufacturing comes from Colombia

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered the National Navy to intercept and stop any ships carrying coal bound for Israel in response to what he considers to be a genocide in Gaza. Coal exports to Israel had been banned by decree in August 2024, except for pre-existing contracts. However, some government officials apparently disregarded that order.

  • Tuesday, July 22nd 2025 - 10:55 UTC

    Santiago Summit: Leaders agree that democracy is under threat

    “it is never a bad time to strengthen democracy,” Boric underlined

    Progressive leaders convened in Santiago de Chile Monday at the “Democracy Forever” event hosted by President Gabriel Boric Font, during which they concurred on the importance of strengthening multilateralism in a world facing “deep uncertainty.” This summit was a continuation of the “In defense of democracy: fighting extremism” initiative, previously held during the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

  • Monday, July 21st 2025 - 10:59 UTC

    Five progressive leaders holding key summit in Santiago

    The proposals developed at this summit will be presented at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September in New York

    The Presidents of Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and Colombia, plus Spain's Prime Minister, are to convene on Monday in Santiago to share the so-called “Democracy Forever” event, a follow-up to a 2024 initiative focused on combating extremism. This year's agenda will cover strengthening democracy and multilateralism, reducing inequalities, as well as combating disinformation and regulating emerging technologies.

  • Friday, July 18th 2025 - 09:53 UTC

    Petro's rift with Márquez deepens over possible porn actress' appointment

    Márquez used to be Petro's Equality Minister until she resigned

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro's rift with Vice President Francia Márquez became more evident Thursday during a televised cabinet meeting during which the possible appointment of former porn actress Amaranta Hank (born Alejandra Ocaña) as Minister of Equality and Equity was discussed. That position had been held by Márquez, who chose to reisgn earlier this year.

  • Wednesday, July 9th 2025 - 10:55 UTC

    Progressive leaders' Summit in Santiago announced

    The gathering at La Moneda is expected to last about four hours

    Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font will host a “High-Level Meeting Democracy Forever” Summit on July 21 at the Palacio de la Moneda in Santiago with fellow progressive Presidents Yamandú Orsi (Uruguay), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil), and Gustavo Petro (Colombia), in addition to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

  • Friday, July 4th 2025 - 14:03 UTC

    Colombian FM resigns over differences with President Petro

    Sarabia's departure added to Petro's internal crisis

    Laura Sarabia resigned this week as Colombia's Foreign Minister, citing “differences” with President Gustavo Petro in “recent days.” Her departure adds to a cabinet crisis that has seen over 50 ministerial changes in three years.

  • Thursday, July 3rd 2025 - 10:13 UTC

    Petro accuses former FM of plotting to overthrow him

    The legal action stems from leaked audio recordings in which Leyva allegedly discusses strategies to oust the president, including seeking “external support” from a foreign government

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro filed a lawsuit Wednesday against former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva for allegedly plotting to remove him from power. The former official has been accused of treason, libel, slander, conspiracy to commit sedition, and incitement to commit a crime.

  • Thursday, June 12th 2025 - 10:55 UTC

    South America's leftwing leaders support CFK after court ruling

    Lula and Petro called CFK to express their solidarity

    Most of South America's leftwing leaders expressed their solidarity with former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (CFK), whose 6-year prison sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court (CSJN) earlier this week.

Previous