President Petro’s Relations with Colombian Press Draw Scrutiny

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President Petro's Relations with Colombian Press Draw Scrutiny

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Relations between the Colombian government, led by President Gustavo Petro, and the country’s news media have faced significant strain since he took office in 2022. Press freedom organizations and media outlets have expressed alarm over what they describe as a deterioration of conditions for journalists.

President Petro has frequently used social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to criticize and challenge media coverage of his administration. In January 2023 alone, he made approximately 34 references to nine different media outlets. These criticisms have included accusations of “Mossad journalism” against specific journalists and outlets, such as Maria Jimena Duzan and *Semana* magazine, in connection with articles on alleged corruption.

In August 2024, President Petro referred to several women journalists as “mob dolls” and “journalists of power.” These remarks led to a ruling by the Constitutional Court in 2025, which found that his language reinforced harmful gender stereotypes and constituted symbolic gender-based violence. The court ordered President Petro to issue a public apology, a decision reported in May 2026.

The Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) has repeatedly criticized the president’s rhetoric, accusing him of “delegitimizing and stigmatizing the work of journalists and media that monitor his government.” In July 2024, tensions heightened after President Petro accused FLIP of having ties to the far-right, a claim that sparked online clashes between journalists and his supporters.

Reports indicate a concerning environment for journalists, with 218 threats reported in 2022, marking the highest number in 15 years. Between 2023 and 2024, threats against the press reportedly increased by 24%. The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) noted in April 2026 that discrediting messages from the president continued, alongside threats and intimidation in various regions, particularly against journalists covering corruption, security, and armed conflict. This climate has led to self-censorship among local journalists, especially concerning topics like illegal economies and public order. International organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee

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