Stalemate in Colombia: A Conversation with Former Vice President Francisco Santos

At the halfway mark of his presidency, Colombian President Gustavo Petro faces resistance in implementing his populist vision for the country. The erosion of the coalition that brought him to office in 2022 has led him to consider implementing “people’s assemblies” to advance constitutional reforms, which would risk further exacerbating tensions in the country.

Petro’s efforts to negotiate a “total peace” agreement have not brought more security to Colombia, and criminal groups have exploited the talks to expand their territory. More recently, Petro has faced criticism domestically and internationally for his response to Venezuela’s corrupt July 28 presidential elections.

Join Hudson for an event with former Vice President Francisco Santos to assesses Petro’s record, identify potential scenarios for the second half of Petro’s presidency, and discuss the implications for the United States and the region with Hudson’s Daniel Batlle.