From the networks to the streets and squares. Finally, 14 and 15 February are the dates on which the national government –14– and the sectors declared in opposition –15– will measure forces.
The call for the mobilizations has been made on Twitter and the central debate focuses on the reform agenda being promoted by President Gustavo Petro.
On the part of the government, symbolism and the public square will be the protagonists, as explained by President Gustavo Petro, who reiterated that the central goal will be to defend the health reform, the text of which is not yet known.
Join us on February 14. May health be for the entire Colombian people, may health be for Colombia,” the head of state tweeted.
“From the Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, I will speak to Colombia gathered in all the public squares of the country,” Gustavo Petro explained in his invitation. He stressed that he hopes that on that day there will be support for this reform.
Government preparations
Ministers, senators, high councillors, civil servants and even members of the Historical Pact have intensified their activism in recent days in view of the February 14 marches.
The logistics are served. The meeting time is at 2pm and the main point is the Plaza de Armas, between the Congress and the Casa de Nariño.
The activity has been dubbed “Petro on the Balcony” as the head of state is expected to address the crowd there to outline the central lines of defense of his reform package to be presented to Congress. They also anticipated cultural activities and the presentation of musical groups.
“We marched for life, total peace, social justice, environmental justice and equality for all Colombians,” said David Racero, president of the Chamber.
The country’s trade unions will also join this mobilization, which have already announced that they will accompany President Gustavo Petro.
Recently, the Fecode teachers’ union announced that it would take to the streets to defend the government’s reforms.
“We support the change for the rights to life, health, pensions and education. We will take to the streets on February 14 in the belief that the Colombians will be heard in defense of our rights,” the statement said.
In the capital of the Atlantic, the mobilization is on February 14 at 8:00 am and the meeting point is the Esthercita Forero Park on 74th Street with Carrera 43.
It’s the opposition’s turn
On Wednesday, February 15, the sectors that have declared themselves against Gustavo Petro will go public to reject the reform package of the national government and the president’s management in the first six months.
“Colombia started to live nicely. While Petro is at the carnival with his wife’s dancer, today the Colombians are hungry and the prices of the family basket are soaring,” Miguel Polo said on his social networks.
This mobilization has the support of the Democratic Center and
from leaders like Pierre Onzaga, who organized last year’s march against the president. .
In statements to the media, Onzaga confirmed that millions of people are waiting on the streets for the nonconformity he says is growing against President Petro’s government.
What do the marches mean?
Some sectors have criticized mobilizations being cited for reforms that no one knows about yet.
“There is no point in calling the streets to discuss reforms that are not known. They only serve to radicalize, polarize and nourish the figure of the caudillo. The risk of physical confrontation is high and it is not exactly the environment needed for total peace,” said Sergio Fajardo.
For his part, political analyst Jairo Libreros pointed out that the right to protest could be compromised because the call is made on the basis of a defense of a text that is not yet known.
“I think in this case it is an electoral strategy that tries to put the issues on the social and political agenda of the Petro government in view of the October elections,” said the academic.
Senator Humberto de la Calle expected that the announcement of mobilizations is unfortunate and that the government risks causing confrontations in the country.
Analyst Carlos Arias explained that both mobilizations could be a bargaining chip when they start talking to congressmen about their votes for the reforms.
Source: El Heraldo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
