Gustavo Petro seeks Senate permission for international travel

President Gustavo Petro has requested open authorization from the Colombian Senate to travel abroad throughout the upcoming year. Under Article 196 of the Constitution, the President requires prior Senate permission to leave the country during the year following the end of their term in office.

The Centro Democrático party voted in favor of the request but attached a condition requiring the President to report his specific destinations and travel dates for each trip. The request has sparked political debate, with some legislators suggesting the move is a precursor to fleeing the country, though legal analysts note that Petro is not currently under any restrictive measures of liberty, nor does he face extradition or formal charges that would limit his movement.