Petro Bypasses Congress: Decree Calls for Popular Vote on Labor Rights

Colombia's President Petro Announces Popular Consultation on Labor Rights via Decree Bogota, Colombia – In a significant development, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced today that he will convene a popular consultation on labor rights through a presidential decree. This decision follows an earlier interview with Noticias Caracol by Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, who stated that the government had a finalized draft ready and had received the green light from the Executive's legal team. "I am going to decree the popular consultation," President Petro stated in his address, as seen in the Noticias Caracol video. The video shows Petro speaking directly to the nation. The decree bypasses the need for Congressional approval, a move likely to generate debate and scrutiny. Minister Benedetti added in his interview, "The Government has the draft ready and it has the green light from the legal team." The Constitutional Court will ultimately decide on the legality and validity of the decree. The decision to use a decree highlights the urgency the Petro administration places on labor reform and its willingness to utilize executive power to achieve its goals. The upcoming consultation promises a period of intense political discussion and engagement from the Colombian public.