Minute30.com .- Within the framework of the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean held in Panama, President Gustavo Petro presented an ambitious – although questioned – integration proposal called the “Pact for Life and Freedom in the Americas. Before eight dignitaries from the region, the Colombian president sought to position his ideological leadership on the global stage.
The pillars: Freedom and Life
During his speech at the event organized by the CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean), Petro focused his narrative on philosophical concepts: “Comprehensive freedom is the emancipation of humanity, life is everything. Without freedom and without life we do not exist as human beings anywhere on the planet,” he stated before the audience.
The “uncomfortable” silence in front of Daniel Noboa
Despite high expectations for a possible statement on the acute economic conflict that Colombia is going through with Ecuador, President Petro opted for absolute silence on this issue.
The omission was notable given the presence of his Ecuadorian counterpart, Daniel Noboa, in the same forum, leaving the trade and energy tensions that affect both nations in the air.
Posture towards Venezuela and relationship with Trump
One of the most critical moments of the speech occurred when the president referred to the political crisis in the neighboring country, trying to distance himself from criticism for his closeness to Chavismo:
“I am not defending Maduro, I am saying that he has to be tried by a Venezuelan or American court,” Petro stated bluntly.
Likewise, the president took advantage of the space to outline the topics that make up his dialogue agenda with the president of the United States, Donald Trump, focusing on the climate crisis, the energy transition and drug policy, topics that he plans to discuss soon with the Republican administration.
From the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, in Panama, the President @PetroGustavo He questioned the role of the United Nations in the face of the crisis in the Middle East.
“The United Nations was created to prevent genocides and today it is not capable… pic.twitter.com/WwuBzjYOo5
— Colombian Presidency (@infopresidencia) January 28, 2026
Failure to comply with times generates discomfort
Sources present at the forum indicated that Petro’s intervention was not free of logistical friction. The president considerably exceeded the time allocated by the organizers for his speech, which altered the schedule of an event that, due to its diplomatic and economic nature, requires rigorous punctuality from the heads of state.
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