Gustavo Petro calls for strike and files fraud lawsuit after alleged election tampering in Colombia

Outgoing President Gustavo Petro used his farewell address to the newly installed Colombian Congress to contest the June 21 presidential runoff that elected right‑wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella. Petro said a group of about 70,000 “digital witnesses” uncovered algorithmic manipulation of votes cast abroad and announced that a null‑ification petition had been filed with the electoral council to request a new count of overseas ballots. He pledged to release proof of the alleged fraud in videos posted on social media.

Petro warned that if De La Espriella reverses any of his administration’s reforms – notably the labor‑hour decree and agrarian policy – a “general and indefinite strike” would be organized by millions of workers, unions, peasant and indigenous groups. He also criticised the incoming government’s plan to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, calling it a disgrace and a violation of national dignity. In the same speech Petro highlighted his record on poverty reduction, education expansion and renewable‑energy growth, and warned of a likely “meganiño” El Niño event in December that could threaten water, food and energy supplies. The address combined a political and policy critique with a call for mass civil resistance ahead of the August 7 transition.