Political tension is running high in Colombia following a day of mass mobilization in support of President Petro’s social reforms. On the same day, the Senate commission reviewing the labor reform decided to definitively reject the government-backed proposal.
This decision, along with the president’s call for a referendum in October, has intensified tensions among lawmakers. Heated exchanges between members of the ruling party and the opposition escalated into a series of accusations, with the debate nearly turning into direct confrontations.
Tension takes hold of political life in Colombia
Colombian politics has remained tense since Gustavo Petro’s election victory in mid-2022. From the very first day of his administration, the traditional ruling parties reacted vehemently, voicing economic concerns and predicting various crises—many of which ultimately did not materialize.
The rise of a leftist government, a political shift unseen in Colombia’s history, was met with strong resistance not only from traditional parties but also from the country’s economic elite. Yet, despite ongoing disagreements and persistent political tension, nothing compares to the current unrest following yet another parliamentary rejection of a key government legislative initiative.
After a day of mobilizations in favor of these initiatives, and following the Senate committee’s rejection of labor reform, congressmen Alfredo Mondragon, from the ruling Pacto Historico (Historic Pact), and Alirio Barrera, from the opposition Democratic Center, exchanged heated words in the parliamentary chamber.
The moment was captured on cell phone cameras and quickly spread across social media. Even President Petro commented on the incident.
“This congressman [Alirio Barrera] rode a horse into Congress. The horse felt so much savagery in him that it preferred to die,” Petro wrote on his X.com account, referring to the recent death of the opposition congressman’s horse. Along with his remark, the president shared a video of the heated argument between the two politicians.
Este congresista montó a caballo y entró al congreso. El caballo sintió tanta bestialidad encima que prefirió morirse.
pic.twitter.com/S7vC3vSknT— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 19, 2025
One year before the elections, tension continues to rise
With just over a year remaining in President Petro’s term, it is clear that political tension will not subside—in fact, it is only expected to escalate. As the pre-campaign for the 2026 presidential elections gains momentum, many potential candidates are seizing every opportunity to make sharp remarks and amplify their presence on social media.
One such example is pre-candidate Vicky Davila, who recently posted a blunt and defiant “we are not afraid,” underscoring the deep political divide Colombia is currently experiencing.
With extreme polarization—an issue Colombia shares with much of the world—the controversial call for a popular referendum in October to bypass Congress on the rejected labor reform, and the looming electoral race, all signs point to a further increase in political strife.
Colombia has experienced a tense political climate since Petro took office, but as his final year unfolds, the outlook suggests an even more volatile and contentious period ahead. Public policies that transcend party interests, political consensus, and the ability to build alliances seem more distant than ever.
Related: Colombian Congressmen Meet with US Senator Bernie Moreno.