Arauca Chamber representative Lina Garrido sharply criticized President Gustavo Petro in an interview with LA NACIÓN, calling him a liar, traitor, incoherent, hypocrite, and cynic, and accusing him of being a narcotraffic ally. Garrido defended her remarks about Donald Trump and warned of guerrilla threats against her. She expressed hope for a government change in Colombia after the August elections.
In an extensive interview published by LA NACIÓN on January 11, 2026, Representative Lina Garrido from Cambio Radical in Arauca launched strong accusations against President Gustavo Petro. Garrido described him as “a liar, traitor, incoherent, hypocrite, and cynic,” and pointed to him as a narcotraffic ally, based on statements from figures like “Pollo” Carvajal and Armando Benedetti about alleged narcotraffic funds in Petro's campaign.
Garrido clarified that her posts about Donald Trump do not endorse a U.S. invasion of Colombia, but rather support strategic ties with the U.S. and Israel against transnational narcotraffic. “I never speak of an invasion by the United States or intervention,” she stated. Instead, she urged Petro to answer to Colombian or U.S. authorities for the evidence.
The congresswoman disclosed threats from guerrillas like the ELN after her reports, including the diversion of funds from the National Risk Management Unit to ELN structures in Arauca. She has filed complaints with the Attorney General's Office and the Inspector General against ministers for prevarication and undue political involvement. She views Petro's presidency as illegitimate due to campaign spending limit violations and alleged 15 billion pesos from Nicolás Maduro's government.
Garrido expects Maduro to reveal complicities in his U.S. trial, similar to what she anticipates from Benedetti to exit the Clinton List. She found no positive aspects in Petro's government, accusing it of betraying promises of total peace and territorial improvements. She represents frustrated Colombian voices and plans to visit Huila in February to bolster opposition. Her stance highlights rising tensions in Colombian politics ahead of the presidential elections.
