CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

A Government Opposed to Peace is a Government Opposed to Life

Photograph Source: Abelardo de la Espriella – CC0 1.0

There are just over three weeks left before Abelardo De La Espriella takes office as Colombia’s new president, despite the numerous allegations that cast a shadow over his election and, as usual, discredit the Colombian electoral system.

The announcements already being made by Abelardo and his designated cabinet mark a significant change of course, not only for the Colombian people but also for the country’s place in the world.

The runoff election reaffirmed that there are two visions for the country in Colombia: Abelardo won with 49.66 percent of the vote, championing the reduction of the state and social policies to further the development of a neoliberal, extractivist, and dependent model, compared to the 48.70 percent secured by Iván Cepeda, who sought to continue the project of change, expand social and environmental justice, peace, and sovereignty.

Given the election results, it was expected that the level of violence and anger from Abelardo’s campaign would subside in order to seek a national agreement that would allow for governance and the inclusion of the electorate that did not vote for his agenda but will also be under his responsibility for the next four years. His first public message, following the announcement of his victory, seemed to be heading in that direction.

However, Abelardo’s camp has sought to discredit Petro’s government, going so far as to attempt to suspend the transition process, accusing outgoing officials of ‘corruption’ and ‘coup-mongering.’ At the same time, it has launched attacks against social movements, stigmatizing entire regions that voted for Cepeda with the false narrative of the ‘forced vote‘ (which claims, contrary to all evidence or actual data, that rural populations voted under coercion from armed........

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