Colombian President Gustavo Petro and opposition leaders have both called for nationwide protests in response to a controversial labor reform referendum. Petro supports the referendum, arguing it’s necessary to advance worker and pensioner protections, and plans to join pro-reform demonstrations on June 11. He contends that an earlier Senate vote rejecting the proposal was invalid due to alleged procedural issues. Opponents, particularly from conservative and far-right parties, claim the move bypasses democratic processes and have labeled it a threat to the country’s political stability. Both sides plan to mobilize supporters, raising tensions over the future of labor policy in Colombia.
See "Petro and Colombia’s opposition call for protests over labor reform", Adriaan Alsema, Colombia Reports, June 5, 2025