BOGOTA, Colombia — On Monday, Colombian Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo announced his resignation amidst a political upheaval involving President Gustavo Petro’s administration. This crisis was sparked by Petro’s controversial choice of Armando Benedetti as his chief of staff, which has drawn significant criticism.
In his resignation letter released on social media, Cristo expressed his desire to advance the goals of the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia “without limitations.” He urged that “frustration should not lead Colombia back to a time of political and social exclusion that breeds violence.”
The fallout from Petro’s appointment of Benedetti has been severe, as two other ministers stepped down last week following a tense Cabinet meeting where Petro criticized his team for not delivering on government initiatives. The situation escalated into emotional exchanges among ministers.
Additionally, on Sunday, Petro called for all ministerial resignations, stating he needed to form a new Cabinet to effectively address various pressing issues, particularly the escalating security situation. Over 50,000 individuals in northeast Colombia have been displaced since January due to intensifying clashes between rival rebel factions.
Cristo informed Petro of his resignation plans on the preceding Thursday, omitting any mention of Benedetti in his letter. The environment and culture ministers also resigned recently, expressing their unwillingness to serve under Benedetti’s leadership.
Benedetti, who hails from Colombia’s Caribbean region, has a reputation as a skilled political strategist, having raised significant funds for Petro’s presidential campaign in 2022. However, he faces serious allegations of corruption and accusations of domestic violence. Unlike many of Petro’s associates, Benedetti does not have ties to left-wing political factions and previously supported conservative leader Alvaro Uribe.
In 2023, allegations surfaced linking Benedetti to corrupt activities during the campaign, as recordings revealed a discussion in which he claimed to have secured nearly $4 million for Petro’s election efforts, hinting at funding from questionable sources. He also ominously suggested that he could undermine the government if his contributions were not recognized with an official position.
Benedetti is presently facing corruption charges related to his involvement in mismanaging government contracts in 2017, as per the Colombian Supreme Court. Throughout the Petro administration, he has held the position of Colombia’s ambassador to Venezuela, along with a role at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which had been open since 1999.
Moreover, a serious incident occurred last year involving accusations from Benedetti’s wife, who claimed he had assaulted her in Madrid. Although she later retracted her statement, Spanish authorities did not investigate due to his diplomatic status.
Members of Petro’s cabinet have voiced their concerns regarding Benedetti’s influence, with Environment Minister Susana Muhamad remarking that, as a feminist, she could not engage in meetings with him. In response, Petro stood by Benedetti, expressing his belief in offering second chances and critiquing the dissenting cabinet members for what he termed “sectarian” behavior, which hinders political coalition-building.
Sergio Guzmán, a political analyst in Bogotá, noted that Benedetti had constructed alliances with central and right-leaning politicians during the last presidential campaign, which aided in mobilizing support for Petro despite a stark ideological divide. Guzmán observed that Petro’s larger strategy seems focused on the long-term implications of his Cabinet choices, particularly regarding the upcoming 2026 presidential election, where securing adept political operators will be crucial for success.
