Former Minister of Health and Education Alejandro Gaviria issued a strong warning about President Gustavo Petro, whom he supported in the second round. “In 2026, we must go. He will come out or we will take him,” said Gaviria, in response to a user of
Si hubiera tenido incluso la más leve sospecha de un rompimiento institucional para quedarse, no lo habría apoyado. Jamás.
En 2026, se tiene que ir. Sale o lo sacamos.
— Alejandro Gaviria (@agaviriau) October 16, 2023
Gaviria’s statements were made in the early hours of this Sunday, October 16, after discussions on social networks. As a result of the diplomatic crisis that broke out in Israel, which described President Petro’s statements as “anti-Semitic,” one user told the former minister: “You have had your controlled explosion.” @agaviriau”You are afraid that Rodolfo will trouble us, and your Petro is about to rain white phosphorus on us.”
When Petro and Rodolfo Hernández faced off in the second round of the presidential election last June, Gaviria supported Petro. He did so under the argument that the country needed “a controlled explosion” due to social tension. In Gaviria’s opinion, Petro is the only candidate who can guarantee the said “controlled explosion.”
Gaviria, in that discussion of the networks, continued: “If Rodolfo wins, Petro will be the leader of the opposition; maybe he will have 80% popularity; the country will be prevented in different ways; and Petro’s election in 2026 will be almost inevitable. We must begin to recognize the complexity of the scenario we faced in the last election and stop insulting everyone. Colombia needs a democratic front. Union. Partial agreements between the various parties.
When Petro won the presidency, Gaviria was named Minister of Education. However, his fierce opposition to the controversial health reform of former Minister Carolina Corcho damaged his position. In Casa de Nariño, they closed ranks around Corcho and lost confidence in Gaviria, who for six years became the Minister of Health during the two governments of Juan Manuel Santos. Later, Gaviria published a book called ‘The Controlled Explosion’, in which he recounted his experience working with President Petro.
On social networks, the former minister addressed the possibility that Petro decided to stay in power after 2026 when his constitutional term ends. “If I had even the slightest suspicion of the destruction of the institution, I would not have supported it. Never. In 2026, it should go. He will come out, or we will take him,” he said.
