Petro lashes out at media, and legal expert warns of risk to press freedom

Colombia. – The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, starred in a new controversy after publishing more than a dozen messages on the social network X in less than 24 hours, in which he questioned and criticized various media outlets in the country. In his posts, the president expressed dissatisfaction with the news coverage of certain topics, including anti-drug operations and decisions of his Government. Some of his messages included strong accusations against journalists and media, which generated immediate reactions in different political and legal sectors. Criminal lawyer Jhoan Montenegro warned that this type of statements from the head of state could jeopardize freedom of the press and foster an environment of stigmatization against journalistic practice. According to his explanation, the reiteration of verbal attacks from the government can weaken one of the fundamental pillars of any democracy: the control and surveillance of public power by the media.

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Montenegro maintained that political debate is legitimate, but stressed that the constant pointing towards the press can generate consequences in the citizen perception and in the safety of communicators. The episode reignites the debate about the relationship between the Government and the media in Colombia, as well as the limits of public discourse by high-ranking officials regarding respect for freedom of expression and the right to information. So far, the Presidency has not issued any additional official statement beyond the posts made on the social network.