Petro rules out re-election but open to constituent assembly

In response to ongoing debates sparked by the recent registration of a promoter committee, President Gustavo Petro has reiterated he does not seek re-election—prohibited by Colombia's Constitution—and remains open to a civil society-driven Constituent Assembly to advance stalled social reforms.

Following the December 2025 registration of a promoter committee for a national constituent assembly, which reignited political debate and suspicions of re-election motives, President Gustavo Petro Urrego clarified his position at an event in the Casa de Nariño marking remuneration for medical interns.

Petro reaffirmed his commitment not to aspire to re-election, emphasizing he will honor his word despite the constitutional prohibition.

He left open participation in a potential Constituent Assembly initiated by civil society, viewing it as a legal way to activate constituent power and enable structural social transformations blocked in Congress.

Criticizing the 'progressivity' doctrine in rights guarantees, Petro argued it delays fulfillment, citing stalled health and labor reforms where rights like health and dignified work remain conditional, fueling violence.

He stressed that true constituent power resides with the people, not institutions like the Executive or Legislative, urging citizens to drive pending changes and remove barriers to full rights.

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President Gustavo Petro announces signature drive for National Constituent Assembly amid cheering crowd in Medellín.
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Government launches signature drive for constituent assembly in Medellín

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Building on prior promoter committee registrations and bills from late 2025, President Gustavo Petro announced on May 1 the start of collecting 5 million signatures for a National Constituent Assembly at a Medellín event. The proposal, if supported, will be presented to the new Congress on July 20 to add chapters on social reforms and anti-corruption to the 1991 Constitution—strengthening, not replacing, it.

President Gustavo Petro backed the decision by the Citizen Committee for the National Constituent Assembly to suspend signature collection. The move coincides with presidential candidate Iván Cepeda distancing himself from the proposal.

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President Gustavo Petro defended the public health model and sharply criticized EPS during his Labor Day speech in Medellín. Addressing a crowd in Las Luces park, he proposed a national constituent assembly. He highlighted achievements in health infrastructure, such as floating hospitals in remote areas.

President Gustavo Petro stated during a council of ministers that Ecopetrol contracts nearing expiration will not be extended but will go through competitive processes. He said the company's board of directors must oversee compliance with this directive.

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Ricardo Roa, Ecopetrol's president, stated he will not step down despite a formal charge of influence peddling by prosecutors. In an interview with Cambio magazine, he defended his position, saying it has not altered the company's risk matrix. He emphasized acting with full transparency toward international markets.

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