Clash in Senate plenary session over decision not to process appeal to referendum vote

The wounds of the referendum vote are still being felt in the Senate plenary. It was the first session since that day, and the discontent among sectors was evident. It didn't matter that the agenda was set aside for the election of Justice Cristina Pardo's replacement on the Constitutional Court. Nearly two hours were spent debating whether or not the vote from a week ago should be repeated.

The Historic Pact requested that the process from a week ago be reopened, and the request was met with harsh criticism from both sides. Senator María José Pizarro led the request, noting that she filed an appeal last week, but it was rejected.

"We don't have to let ourselves be trampled on. You know, Mr. Secretary, that I appealed both decisions, and what they're doing is called trampling and disrespecting a seat. This caucus respects itself. We didn't come here to be disrespected. Even if it hurts them, we'll continue to exist," said María José Pizarro, a member of the Historical Pact, in one of the sections of her petition to the Senate plenary.

Pizarro's position was supported by various congressmen from the Historic Pact and government supporters. All of them invoked the theory of fraud and alleged irregularities. León Freddy Muñoz complained about the correctness of Senator Edgar Díaz's vote. He voted no, but there was confusion in his decision, which was clarified when the manual votes were read. He even presented a video that, he claimed, would be conclusive proof that he had changed his mind.

Senator Díaz responded to this version by calling Muñoz's statements lies. He clarified that he had voted no and that the sign he was making was misinterpreted by the referendum.

For its part, the opposition defended the day's results and questioned the government's stance. The arguments escalated, and there was a moment when shouts and accusations were exchanged on both sides.

Senator Carlos Fernando Motoa was one of those who questioned the attitude of those close to the Executive Branch and even criticized them for placing so much emphasis on the referendum when the country's security situation was worsening.

The dispute was resolved with Senate President Efraín Cepeda's decision to reject proposals to reopen Wednesday's voting. Cepeda argued that the issue was not on the agenda and that he would not prevaricate. Senator Pizarro appealed this decision.

The congresswoman's request for the Historic Pact was rejected by a majority: more than 60 votes against and only 31 in favor. She then took the microphone to state that she had made this request to demonstrate that a decision by the Senate president could be appealed, and that her right had been violated that Wednesday.

Despite an appeal and a request to continue the session, the exchange of accusations continued for several more minutes. Meanwhile, the judicial candidates were in the front row, witnessing the clashes, shouting, disorder, and accusations between the opposition and the ruling party.

Juan Sebastian Lombo Delgado