Vicky Dávila's "ten alerts" about what she called "President Petro's attempt at dictatorship." Why does she say that?

1. "He has created a dangerous environment against the opposition ": he points out that the president has used derogatory terms and accuses the administration of fostering a hostile environment. He asserts that "Petro is politically responsible" for the attack on presidential candidate Miguel Uribe.
2. "He's handing over part of Colombia's sovereignty to Nicolás Maduro ." According to her, the president is ceding territory across the so-called binational zone with Venezuela. She adds that "Maduro is the leader of the ELN and the owner of the cocaine business in that region of the country."
3. "He threatens to shut down the media ": The candidate says Petro has issued warnings to the press, denouncing her government and giving the opposition space. "Petro has shamelessly seized large spaces on private and public television channels, like a true Chávez. Petro is Chávez; he wants a knee-deep press."
4. " He banned the sale of coal from Colombia to Israel ": Dávila points out that, in addition to this, President Petro threatens companies by "giving them the alarming order to intercept ships carrying coal bound for Israel."
5. " He casts doubt on the electoral system ": the journalist claims it's the same one that elected him president and gave him every guarantee. "Yes, there will be elections, and they will be free and democratic," she affirmed.
6. " He's putting pressure on justice ": the candidate says the president "threatens judges and prosecutors in a threatening manner...He gives his pocket prosecutor orders in public."
7. " Threatening Congress for not approving his reforms": Dávila declares, "In a country that just silenced the polls in the midst of the presidential campaign, they undoubtedly did Petro a favor so that Colombians would have no information, so that they would be left in the dark."
8. "He empowered criminals ": According to her, President Gustavo Petro allowed crime to flourish and tied the hands of the armed forces. "Petro fights to free drug traffickers. He constantly calls for chaos and disorder, for unions, for indigenous communities. This government's sympathy for criminals is undeniable," she says, noting that "the Alpujarra stage protests confirmed this."
9. "He hijacked the budget ": the candidate claims the president appropriated "at least 30 million Colombians' healthcare system." Dávila speaks about pensions and the "ghost of the blackout."
10. "Colombians are poorer than ever": the journalist points out that fear of drug traffickers is growing in many regions. "Meanwhile, Petro has seriously jeopardized our relations with the United States," she notes.

This is the dictatorship that Petro wants to impose on us. We won't allow it. It's advancing rapidly and seriously: harassment of the opposition, a binational zone with the narco-dictator Maduro, threats to shut down media outlets, empowerment of drug traffickers, weakening of the public forces... pic.twitter.com/LQKE1BADGn

— Vicky Dávila (@VickyDavilaH) July 25, 2025