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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, December 26th 2025 - 20:11 UTC

Tag: Gustavo Petro

  • Saturday, September 27th 2025 - 10:53 UTC

    US revoking Petro's visa for pro-Palestine rally

    Petro announced an initiative before the UN to form an army to fight the alleged Israeli genocide in Gaza

    US authorities will be revoking Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa after the Latin American leader held a pro-Palestine demonstration in New York the day after his participation at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

  • Tuesday, September 16th 2025 - 20:48 UTC

    Colombia halts arms purchases from US

    “No more handouts or gifts” for the United States, Petro promised

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro has halted all future arms purchases from the United States in response to Washington's decertification of his country as a counter-narcotics ally.

  • Friday, August 22nd 2025 - 10:46 UTC

    Colombia: Terrorist attack leaves 6 dead and over 70 wounded

    “What is happening in Cali is an act that spreads panic among the civilian population,” Petro argued

    At least six civilians were killed and 71 other people were wounded following an explosion Thursday at the Marco Fidel Suárez Colombian Air Force Base in Cali, caused by an attack with cylinder bombs thrown from a truck, which missed the military facilities and hit a nearby street, damaging homes and vehicles and injuring people, including passengers on a bus.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.