However, this is not the Petro administration’s first time dealing with issues.
His presidency has been punctuated by high-profile political crises, both domestically and internationally.
His efforts to co-operate with Colombia’s peace process in Venezuela and Cuba have, for example, skepticism among the more traditionalist groups.
Meanwhile, his ambitious domestic agenda, including sweeping reforms to healthcare, pension and labour, has struggled to gain traction amid legislative roadblocks and opposition resistance.
Through a number of cabinet changes and internal disagreements, his government has also experienced recurring instability. Confidence in Petro’s son and the funding of his 2022 presidential campaign have been further eroded by corruption allegations.
Nevertheless, for some of Petro’s supporters, his recent clash with Trump symbolised his defiant stance against US pressure and his commitment to protecting Colombian dignity.
Trump’s hardline policies are seen as an assertion of national sovereignty by his base, which is made up of progressive voters, human rights advocates, and organizations dissatisfied with Washington’s interventionist policy.
“I thought that what he did was good”, said Robinson Duarte, an economist who voted for Petro in 2022. “It hasn’t distanced me from him. I support him”.
Trump’s threat of tariffs and sanctions, though averted for now, has raised concerns about potential economic repercussions. This could hurt Petro-aligned candidates in 2026, especially if economic anxieties persist.
Yet, experts say Petro’s resilience in political crises should not be underestimated. His career has had a defining ability to turn confrontational situations into populist rallying points.
In order to advance his coalition ahead of the 2026 election, if he succeeds in using the Trump spat as a stand against foreign aggression, he could strengthen his party.
According to Duarte, “He has also managed to position himself as a person with the ability to tell the US that this is an autonomous nation, that we have dignity, and that we must understand one another within the framework of international law.”
Source: Aljazeera
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