In Colombia, Labor Day has deep roots in the country’s left-wing and progressive movements. Indeed, Gustavo Petro, the first leftist politician who became Colombia’s president has further politicized the day by claiming it as a day to show support for the government. 

On Wednesday, May 1, rallies have been underway since 8 am. Protests have been reported in Medellin, Cali, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, Pasto, Cucuta, Villavicencio, Quibdo and Popayan. However, the hotspot of the protests was the capital, Bogota. 

President Gustavo Petro arrived at the Bolivar Plaza in Downtown Bogota at noon to make his speech. He declared that Colombia would break off diplomatic relations with Israel, starting on May 2.

What did President Petro say in his Labour Day speech?

In his speech during the Labor Day rallies in Colombia, he stated: “Perhaps all the slogans, all those colors, could be summed up in a single word that demands the need for rebellion, for the raised flag and resistance, and that word is “Gaza”, it is “Palestine”. Here, in front of you, is the Government of Change.” 

President Petro also criticized the protests opposing his policoes that took place on April 21. He declared that Labour Day rallies were a response to the protests that were promoted by the opposition. He claimed that “Colombia’s history has changed forever and is irreversible. We continue through the path of change.” 

Petro also talked about the civic day he declared on April 19. After claiming that there is a clear intent of a coup de grace, and a conspiracy to kill him, he continued by saying: “The majority is here. We won the election, like we did on April 19, 1970.” He referenced how critics made their voices heard when they pointed out that April 19 is also President Petro’s birthday. He hit back by declaring: “It is not because it’s the day of my birthday, it is because it’s the day when they stole the election from the Colombian people.” 

The president has also waved a M-19 flag, the flag of defunct terrorist group that he was once part of, and capped everything off by talking about a national agreement that includes everyone in a “Multi-Color Democracy.”