Gustavo Bolívar's complaint to President Gustavo Petro: "Love must be selfless, or it isn't love."

Bolívar, the current president's squire during the 2018 and 2022 terms, when both were colleagues in the Senate, resigned from the leadership of the DPS with the intention of running for president, taking advantage of the fact that he is one of the leading names in voting intentions, according to polls. In fact, he is the person on the left with the best results.

But it would be his resignation that would be the reason for a distancing from President Petro. It was notable that on May 1st, when the president led the Labor Day demonstrations in Bogotá, Bolívar left for Cali and marched with Vice President Francia Márquez, who has now distanced herself from the Casa de Nariño.

The distance became even more evident when this Friday, President Gustavo Petro, during an event in Tibú, Norte de Santander, questioned Bolívar's presence.

"Those who resigned, resigned," the president asserted when the presenter announced Bolívar's name among the officials in attendance.

"I'm breaking the agenda because I don't think it's right, Gustavo Bolívar and other colleagues," said the head of state, adding that those who "resigned, resigned. You can't confuse that. The person who resigns because they have an aspiration is already gone, and their replacement comes in, and they have to come and speak."

"We have to analyze the paths here, Bolívar, but you won't have time because you decided to leave. I'm not criticizing you; I've also been a candidate," the president added.

The President has repeatedly insisted that public officials seeking the presidency should resign, as it is inappropriate to campaign from the executive branch.

What's striking is that Bolívar resigned two weeks ago, but his resignation has not been made official nor has it been accepted.

Behind this situation could be the president's lack of conviction regarding Bolívar's potential candidacy on the left. According to various sources who have expressed this to the president, the director of Social Prosperity lacks the capacity to unite the entire left, much less attract the center . Furthermore, Bolívar's defeat in the regional elections, when he ran for mayor of Bogotá, also plays against him.

This Saturday, Bolívar made a curious tweet that some have linked to a possible response to the president.

"Love must be selfless or it isn't love," said the former senator.

The connection between the tweet and President Petro's attack on Bolívar stems from the now-famous phrase the writer uttered during the cabinet meeting on February 4, where a rebellion erupted against the head of state over Armando Benedetti's appointment as Chief of Staff.

That day, Bolívar, in addition to questioning Benedetti and Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, told the president that he loved him.

"We may not even enter the campaign; that will be for the people to decide. We did it because we love this project. If we gave up so many things, it's because we love you, Mr. President. I love you," Bolívar asserted in one of the most intense episodes of the now-habitual friendly fire in President Gustavo Petro's administration.

Bolívar's resignation is expected to become effective this week, allowing him to seek the endorsement of the Historic Pact for the presidential elections. If his resignation is not effective before the end of the month, the former senator will be disqualified from participating in the 2026 presidential elections.