Colombia's government rocked by resignations following Cabinet meeting chaos

BOGOTA, Colombia

The Colombian government faced a deep crisis Wednesday following a dramatic Cabinet meeting that ended in tears and resignations.

At least three senior officials resigned following President Gustavo Petro and his Cabinet's intense six-hour meeting, which was broadcast live late Tuesday.

Jorge Rojas, head of the presidency's administrative department, was the first to announce his resignation, followed by Juan David Correa, culture minister and Carlos Carrillo, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.

Susana Muhamad, the environment minister, has hinted that if Armando Benedetti, a former ambassador to Venezuela, is appointed head of the presidential office, she may resign.

Muhamad, Vice President Francia Marquez and other officials criticized Benedetti's return to government, citing incidents of domestic violence and an investigation into presidential campaign financing irregularities.

"As a feminist, I cannot sit at this same Cabinet table with Armando Benedetti," Muhamad said in tears.

Marquez also questioned the appointment of new Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, who faces allegations of illegal wiretapping of her nanny.

The Cabinet meeting, intended to promote transparency, instead saw ministers airing personal grievances and Petro reprimanding them for lack of progress on projects.

Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo proposed the resignation of the entire Cabinet, calling the current composition "unsustainable."

"Let us resign today to leave Mr. President free to make the changes" he considers, he wrote on X.

Petro announced potential Cabinet changes, saying, "Those who want to campaign for the 2026 elections can leave. Those who want to work on fulfilling the program can stay."

The crisis unfolds amid challenges, including the Catatumbo region's security crisis, which has left thousands of residents displaced.