Colombian politics responds to Álvaro Leyva’s audio recordings: “It’s not just an attack on Petro, it’s an assault on democracy.”

Colombian politics reacted this Sunday to EL PAÍS’s revelations about former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva’s attempt to reach out to the United States government to remove his former boss, President Gustavo Petro. The president’s allies condemned the actions of the former minister, called for investigations, and stated that this proves the head of state was right when he denounced plans to overthrow him. Some centrist politicians, such as Angélica Lozano and Humberto de la Calle, have joined the rejection of Leyva and supported the president. Right-wing presidential candidate Vicky Dávila, mentioned by Leyva in the recordings, claimed she was unaware of these efforts and has always opposed proposals to remove the president.

One of the first officials in the government to speak out was the current Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia. “Despicable and miserable. I cannot find better words to describe Álvaro Leyva. His insatiable ambition for power led him to conspire against our institutions. This is not just an attack on Petro; it is an assault on democracy itself,” she wrote on X. Later, Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino joined in: “The actions of former Chancellor Álvaro Leyva are extremely serious. They are crimes against democracy and constitute treason to the homeland. These episodes have exposed his lack of humanity.”

Several congress members from the Historical Pact, the president’s party, commented that these revelations support Petro’s constant accusations of attempts to overthrow him. “When the president denounced it at the time, he was labeled as crazy, paranoid, or accused of creating a smokescreen by the political and media opposition. Now, journalistic investigations show he was right,” wrote Representative María Fernanda Carrascal. Senator María José Pizarro made similar statements and urged the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate: “In May, the president requested an investigation into Álvaro Leyva for sedition. Following the revelations from EL PAÍS America Colombia, the Prosecutor’s Office must act immediately for instigation of a coup, incitement to alter constitutional order, and violations of national sovereignty, at a minimum.”

Some supporters of Petro have gone further and also requested explanations from Vice President Francia Márquez. Leyva claimed in the recordings that she would replace Petro, that he was “over her” in seeking her cooperation in the plan, and that he was behind a public questioning she made to the president in February during a televised Cabinet meeting. “I believe all Colombians need to know what the vice president has to say regarding such a serious matter,” requested the Superintendent of Industry and Commerce, Cielo Rusinque. Moisés Ninco Daza, former ambassador to Mexico, agreed: “If she couldn’t explain herself to the president, hopefully she will to the country.”

Márquez has denied the allegations in a statement. “There is no possibility that I would engage in conspiracies,” she declared. “I have a clear conscience, a clear mind, and a firm heart. I deeply respect the constitutional order and, within it, the role of the President of the Republic as a symbol of national unity. I have expressed this publicly and privately, and there should be no doubt: I have never betrayed nor questioned the legitimate authority of the Nation’s first leader.”

Several political figures from the center have supported the president. Green Senator Angélica Lozano stated that the revelations are “extremely serious.” “All sectors—government, opposition, and independents—must reject this assault on democracy and demand guarantees: for President Petro to complete his term and for upcoming elections to be held freely,” she wrote on X. Former Senator Humberto de La Calle commented: “The revelations are very serious (…) One thing is criticism and another is conspiracy. Gustavo Petro’s term is untouchable.”

The right wing has commented on Leyva’s mentions of some of its figures. Vicky Dávila responded to a part of EL PAÍS’s article indicating that Leyva referred to her as a potential mediator for Petro’s exit. The presidential candidate asserted that she was unaware of “these ideas from former Chancellor Leyva mentioned in El País.” “I do not agree with overthrowing Petro; I have always said that, publicly and privately,” she emphasized. Former President Álvaro Uribe, meanwhile, expressed his support for Dávila and Miguel Uribe Turbay, a senator Leyva mentioned as someone who could join the plan, and who is in serious health after an attack on June 7. “Our presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is a complete democrat, a fighter with ideas and arguments, a frank and genuine person, not a coup plotter. We expect Dr. Álvaro Leyva to clarify this,” stated the former president.

Civil society has also reacted to the revelations. Andrés Celis, a former researcher at the Truth Commission, linked the recordings to two writings from weeks ago in which Leyva accused Petro of drug addiction. “What he was doing with his letters responded to a scripted—failed—effort that included visits to the US to try to undermine Petro. The president was right with his coup plan,” he expressed on X. Félix de Bedout, a journalist from Univision and W Radio, has demanded explanations from the former chancellor and the vice president: “In such a dangerous and tumultuous environment, the last thing the country needs is a coup adventure. Álvaro Leyva will need a very long letter to explain this.”