A judge has ordered the Colombian Congress to repeat the Senate vote on the Popular Consultation after fraud was confirmed. President Gustavo Petro welcomes the decision and calls for respect for the popular will.

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced with satisfaction that a judge has ordered Congress to repeat the Senate vote on the Popular Consultation after fraud was confirmed in the original process. This judicial ruling represents a significant step forward in defending popular will and democratic transparency.

In a message to the public, Petro urged senators to “make that decision calmly, with their hearts focused on the Colombian people,” emphasizing the importance of respecting the citizen mandate and ensuring a clean and legitimate process.

The judicial order responds to evidence that Senate President Efraín Cepeda prevented three congress members who supported the Popular Consultation from exercising their right to vote, altering the final result and violating democratic participation rights. Petro called this act a fraud and an attack against democracy and popular sovereignty.

This ruling requires the vote to be repeated within a maximum of 48 hours, opening the door for the Popular Consultation to move forward and for the Colombian people to express their will without obstacles.

🔴Juez determinó que hubo fraude en la votación de la Consulta Popular y le ordena al Congreso repetir la votación a los senadores en las próximas 48 horas: "Tomen esa decisión con tranquilidad, con su corazón puesto en el pueblo colombiano", mencionó durante el anuncio a la… pic.twitter.com/cb7Xlz3Eb1

— Presidencia Colombia 🇨🇴 (@infopresidencia) June 7, 2025

The text reads: A judge determined that there was fraud in the vote on the Popular Consultation and ordered Congress to repeat the Senate vote within the next 48 hours: “Make that decision calmly, with your heart focused on the Colombian people,” President @PetroGustavo said during the announcement to the public.

The Colombian leader took the opportunity to call on social movements, peasants, workers, youth, and indigenous groups to remain vigilant and mobilized in defense of citizen participation and legislative transparency.

He reaffirmed that the Popular Consultation is an essential tool for the people to decide on fundamental issues and that he will not allow political interests to block this democratic expression.

The judicial decision sets an important precedent in the fight against fraudulent practices within Congress and strengthens participatory democracy in Colombia. It also highlights political tensions between the Executive and conservative sectors that have sought to block social reforms through irregular maneuvers. Petro expressed confidence that the new vote will faithfully reflect the popular will and be an act of justice that strengthens the legitimacy of Colombia’s democratic system.

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