State Council rejects Petro's 'incendiary tone' for blocking pension fund transfer
The State Council rejects Petro's statement against the suspension of the transfer of money to Colpensiones. Photo: Jesús Blanquicet/ iStock
TL;DR
- The State Council energetically rejected President Petro's statement against magistrate Juan Enrique Bedoya.
- Bedoya had provisionally suspended the transfer of $5 billion from private pension funds (AFPs) to Colpensiones.
- The Council stated that Petro's "incendiary tone" does not warrant a similar response but a reasoned defense of the Constitution and separation of powers.
- The Council expressed concern that Petro's and other executive officials' statements, characterized by disinformation and decontextualization, damage institutional trust and weaken the rule of law.
- The Council defended freedom of expression but warned it cannot be used to endanger institutional integrity or the physical safety of judges.
- Petro, via X, called the suspension decision unconstitutional and a "coup against the sovereign people," arguing the State Council lacked legitimacy to annul workers' rights.
- Petro also accused the financial sector of "defrauding the working people" by seeking to profit from pension savings, naming specific banking groups.