Petro Doubles Down on His Bet for a Constituent Assembly and Challenges the Next Congress to Fulfill the 'Mandate of the People'

President Gustavo Petro in the May 1st, 2026 marches Photo: Andrea Puentes - Presidency of Colombia

Petro Doubles Down on His Bet for a Constituent Assembly and Challenges the Next Congress to Fulfill the 'Mandate of the People'

TL;DR

  • President Petro is strongly advocating for a National Constituent Assembly.
  • He challenged the incoming Congress to act on the 'people's mandate' for structural reforms.
  • Social mobilization will continue to be a central tool if the path to a Constituent Assembly progresses.
  • Petro defended his government's social reforms, particularly the health reform, against political and media opposition.
  • He cited low unemployment rates as evidence of his government's success in employment generation.
  • The president contrasted the expansion of the public health system with the failure of some private EPS, attributing this to mismanagement of public funds.
  • Petro also touched upon energy transition and mining reform, aiming to transform extractive models in regions like Antioquia, Chocó, and Nariño.
  • The push for a Constituent Assembly is framed as a long-term political goal extending beyond his current term.