The alleged use of state terrorism to undermine Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez put the legitimacy of the far-right government of Colombia’s President Ivan Duque on the line on Friday.
Opposition Senator Gustavo Petro accused Duque of using a police terror campaign in Bogota to “stage a coup” against Mayor Claudia Lopez since Wednesday.
Senator Gustavo Petro
Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo almost immediately asked forgiveness for police crimes committed, implying he takes responsibility for the terror campaign.
The Inspector General announced he would be investigating the alleged state terrorism and file criminal charges against those involved, which has put the very legitimacy of the entire government on the line.
Inspector General Fernando Carrillo
The Bogota City Council has rejected the police violence that killed at least 15 residents and expressed its support for Lopez, who “urgently invited” Duque to talk. He accepted a meeting at 3PM on Friday.
Two hours later, Lopez will meet with Inspector General Fernando Carrillo, who already had been warned about government officials’ refusal to accept the house arrest of Duque’s political patron, former President Alvaro Uribe.
Because of the president’s persistent difficulty to abide with the law, Duque appears to have blown his political support and has lost all control over the situation.
Lopez, on the other hand, appears to be very much in control, especially after receiving support from key lawmakers, her city council and the Inspector General.
According to the Bogota mayor, she will try to reestablish constitutional order together with the inspector general and the president.
Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez
Trujillo taking responsibility for the police killings could mean he is willing to step down to save Duque, who formally is commander-in-chief.
The alleged use of state terrorism to undermine Lopez, the second most powerful public official in Colombia, could mean that the Bogota Mayor will want more than Trujillo’s head.
After two years of mind-boggling misrule, Duque appears to have completely lost control and may have little to say in Friday’s meetings other than “yes, sir” to the inspector general and “yes, ma’am” to Bogota’s mayor.