What Jumps Out: Colombian Discord

In terms of factual and quantifiable news this week, there was little in Colombia. From Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística – DANE Colombia, we had a September CPI number (5.18%) that, whilst well down on 2023 (5.81%) was slightly above expectations and simply points to the fact that the economy is trucking along well and that overnight rates (9.25%) will likely only com down marginally as best by the end of 2025.

Venezuela has been in the news of late, as we know, and little of it has been positive; however, overnight, we saw the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a woman who has spent much of the last twelve months in hiding. A woman who has promoted peaceful change, as opposed to the warmonger in Washington who has been pushing his own credentials using coercive and bullying tactics.

Locally, it is now almost impossible to know what to believe when it comes to politics. An ex-president was named in a homicide investigation, an ex-mayor and current candidate for president is in the dock for widespread corruption, and that is without scratching the surface.

Pro-Palestine protests in Medellín, run by hard-right, failed presidential candidate Fico Gutierrez, turned violent as local security forces clashed with small groups of protestors. The blame game continues, but video footage was extremely condemning of the authorities, and more concerning was the provocative language coming from the Mayor’s office via ‘X’ ahead of today’s follow-up protest:

“….the violent pro-Palestine groups controlled by the Gustavo Petro government”

This inflammatory language helps no one in Colombia but harks back to the fact that the extreme right in Colombia has nailed their colors to the Donald Trump mast since he was re-elected, and of course, have to row back on Petro’s comments at the UN two weeks ago.

We are still seven months from the first round of the presidential elections, there are still the thick end of 100 potential candidates, and the situation is perhaps as polarized as it ever has been in Colombia. All are guilty, and the truth is disappearing rapidly – it is a tactic that Trump, sadly, has used to great effect in his divide and conquer strategy, and is being copied by his followers around the world.

Colombia is not unique, but it is where I live, work, and pay my taxes – it is depressing to watch the politicians, few who are worthy of the name public servants, plumbing new depths to hold on to, or seek office, to continue their wanton ways.

Tax reform – nothing. Budget for 2026 – nothing. Pension reform – again in the courts. Those taking these decisions are too busy politicking to help the country move forward.

Have a better day than Colombia will probably have.

Roops.

Never miss Rupert’s latest commentary.
Follow him now on LinkedIn to see What Jumps Out.

(Editor’s note: Federico “Fico” Gutierrez did not organize or run the pro-Palestine protests in Medellín as indicated above, and he is serving his second nonconsecutive term as the mayor of Medellín.)

Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística – DANE Colombia office in Cúcuta. Photo credit: EEIM/Wikipedia.