Colombia’s Petro Announces Major Cabinet Reshuffle Amid Governance Struggles

President of Colombia Gustavo Petro has announced a new major cabinet reshuffle, the latest in a series of political maneuvers as his administration confronts growing criticism, legislative gridlock, and declining approval ratings. 

While the President has not yet confirmed the list of ministers that could possibly be replaced or reassigned, government insiders indicate that several high-profile figures will be stepping down or shifting roles in the coming days. The reshuffle is expected to affect key ministers, including those overseeing defense, education, and health, all sectors that have seen mounting pressure amid policy delays and public discontent. 

This is not the first time Petro has reshuffled his cabinet since taking office in 2022. However, analysts say this latest cabinet shake-up represents a deeper and more calculated political realignment, one that could define the second half of his presidency. 

“This is not just about refreshing the government. It’s about consolidating power, rewarding loyalty, and distancing the administration from ministers who have become liabilities or failed to deliver on the President’s ambitious agenda,” said Laura Bonilla, political analyst of the Universidad de los Andes. 

For the past months it has been evident that Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, has struggled to push key reforms through a fragmented Congress, where opposition parties have frequently blocked his initiatives. The reshuffle may be part of an effort to strengthen alliances, particularly with sectors of the political center and moderate left, ahead of next year’s regional elections. 

Petro’s cabinet in constant turmoil

Internal tensions have plagued Petro’s inner circle. In recent months, friction between ministers has spilled into public view, with several clashing over budget priorities, social policy direction, and the pace of reform implementation. Some ministers have also faced criticism for lack of coordination and inconsistent messaging, issues that have hurt the administration’s credibility. 

But beyond the internal conflicts within President Petro’s cabinet, what truly concerns him, as he publicly admitted, is the lack of a team capable of advancing his government’s agenda. “I’ve made my changes over the past three years, but what else can I do if I can’t find a cabinet that will carry out the popular mandate of our government program?,” the president lamented during a recent meeting with top officials. 

In an interview with local radio station La W, President Petro did not hold back. He admitted that he has yet to assemble a ministerial team that is capable of fully executing the popular mandate that brought him to power. He went further, even accusing several of his ministers of betraying the political project he leads. “Most of them have betrayed me. They were not trained in public service, they’ve aligned themselves with laziness and then the President has to supervise and scold them,” he said, in a strikingly candid tone that underscored the depth of the current cabinet crisis. 

Petro was also adamant in stating that he cannot continue into the final year of his presidency with officials who disregard the goals laid out during his campaign. It’s clear Petro is under pressure to deliver on campaign promises but whether this cabinet shake-up will help him turn the tide remains to be seen. His strategy hasn’t worked in the past and now, in the final stretch of his presidency, it’s increasingly likely that he won’t find the solution he’s hoping for. 

Petro is expected to unveil the new cabinet appointments in the coming days. All eyes will be on who makes the cut and what message the choices send about the direction of his presidency.