A heated clash erupted between President Gustavo Petro and the Conservative Party, sparked by a sharp speech the president gave at a public event. At the ceremony recognizing the persecution by the Lawyers' Collective, which took place this Friday, October 17, in the Plaza de Armas of the Casa de Nariño, Petro accused the Conservative Party of committing genocides worse than those in Gaza.
“Until there was some sort of peace agreement in Colombia. Four Gazas. Now we can measure genocides in Gazas, because what happened in Colombia was a genocide. Guilty, the Conservative Party and its presidents. I could say Liberal Party, but no, because the only thing the liberals did was defend their lives. In such a way, and with such ignorance, some ended up resembling the genocidal,” the head of state expressed.
Immediately, the Conservative Party reacted to Petro's statement and published a strong message on its social networks.
“President @petrogustavo, in your mind, the history of Colombia is filtered through the sieve of your biases, hatreds, and frustrations that reinforce your prejudices. We recommend that you read the true history of Colombia, but you seem determined to point the finger at everyone but yourself, as if you had never belonged to a criminal group that you romanticize, a group that killed, kidnapped, extorted, and left an indelible wound by murdering members of the High Courts,” the group detailed.
President @petrogustavo In your mind, the history of Colombia is filtered through the sieve of your biases, hatreds, and frustrations that reinforce your prejudices.
— Conservative Party (@soyconservador) October 17, 2025
We recommend that you read the true history of Colombia, but you seem determined to point the finger at everyone but yourself, as if… https://t.co/lSExDdtIlt
He also noted: “Even though your hatred may lead you to such lying qualifications, the truth is that history will put us on the right side, of the Conservative Party, which did not let you destroy the country and take away the hope of Colombians.”
In turn, former Senate President Efraín Cepeda, of the Conservative Party, also rejected the president's statement.
"Petro engages in slander against parties like the Conservative Party that oppose his failed government," said Cepeda.
President @petrogustavo systematically resorts to slander against those of us who oppose his failed government.
— Efrain Cepeda (@EfrainCepeda) October 17, 2025
He is now trying to tarnish a party that has put a stop to his irresponsible populism. While Petro, at some point in his life, was…
He then stated in a video he published: “We want to tell you that the party has been a great party and has written the history of Colombia for 175 years. While you, today's president Petro, were swelling the ranks of the guerrillas, .”
"Don't distort a history that has been a history of glory just because we prevented your excesses. It won't happen, President Petro, and besides, this party will defeat you in 2026," the former Senate president emphasized.
