Original article: Petro cierra su mandato: de “Revivió Pinochet” a “Jamás le daré la mano a un nazi”, sus advertencias sobre el avance de la ultraderecha en Chile
Gustavo Petro concludes his term as Colombia’s first progressive president on Friday, August 7. Since taking office four years ago, the Pacto Histórico leader proclaimed the start of «the Colombia of possibilities» and transformed governance, opening state doors to historically excluded groups by appointing indigenous leaders, Afro-Colombians, rural citizens, and social organization representatives to high-level executive positions. His vision also aimed to reduce poverty, succeeding in lifting 4 million people out of monetary poverty and 2 million from extreme poverty, which he termed «the greatest social achievement of the country».
Throughout his presidency, Petro expressed significant concern regarding the political landscape and future of Chile, frequently warning about the advance of far-right forces in the neighboring country.
«Pinochet Resurrected»
Less than a month after assuming the presidency, Petro made a notable reference to dictator Augusto Pinochet following the results of the Constitutional Plebiscite on September 4, 2022.
After the rejection of a proposed new Constitution, Petro tweeted, «Pinochet has resurrected.»
He later reiterated on the results, emphasizing the necessity for democratic and social forces to unite to «overcome a past that stains all of Latin America.»
«Only if democratic and social forces unite will it be possible to move beyond a past that sullies all of Latin America and open democratic avenues,» he stated, referencing the final speech of President Salvador Allende moments before the September 11, 1973 coup.
“Know that, sooner rather than later, the great avenues will open for free women and men to build a better society,” asserted the president amidst the bombing of the coup forces on La Moneda Palace.
As Petro’s presidency closes, a retrospective note focused on his quotes about Chile and his warnings on the far right is warranted. Key quotes to include are: «Pinochet has resurrected» alongside references to «open the avenues» pertaining to Allende; «I will never shake hands with a Nazi (…) What is sad is that people choose their Pinochet»; «What has won in Chile (…) is simple and pure fascism. They are Nazis…». The goal is to organize chronologically and briefly explain the context and reactions in Chile, inclusive of a photo of Petro.
Petro’s statements sparked controversy in Chile, drawing criticism from former Chancellor Mariano Fernández, who served during the first term of former President Michelle Bachelet and called Petro’s comments «unfortunate.» Another former Minister of Foreign Affairs during Sebastián Piñera’s second presidency, Roberto Ampuero, indicated that the remarks were offensive to the public.
«Fascism is Advancing, I Will Never Shake Hands with a Nazi or a Child of a Nazi»
Following José Antonio Kast’s victory in the December 14, 2025 runoff, Petro sounded alarms about the rise of fascism in Chile, highlighting Kast’s Nazi affinities, Pinochetist leanings, and ultra-conservative stances.
«Fascism is advancing; I will never shake hands with a Nazi or a child of a Nazi; they are death in human form,» he declared, lamenting that Chilean citizens voted for a president who he compared to dictator Augusto Pinochet.
«It’s sad that Pinochet had to impose himself by force, but what is even sadder is that people choose their Pinochet: elected or not, they are children of Hitler, and Hitler kills nations. It is the demon against life, and every Latin American knows how to resist,» he asserted.
«Take care of (Pablo) Neruda’s grave, I said in the censored tweet. I was happy close to that house and saw the starry skies; however, I was not abandoned at all,» he emphasized in a message shared on social media.
In response to these remarks, Gabriel Boric’s government issued a protest note, as confirmed by Álvaro Elizalde, who was serving as Interior Minister at the time.
«We call for respect for what Chile decides within the framework of democratic rules from anywhere in the world, from all authorities,» stated the then-secretary of state.
In that vein, he indicated, «The Chilean people decide, and we must all respect that outcome; that is what democracy consists of.»
Afterward, Chancellor Alberto van Klaveren announced that, acting on Boric’s instructions, a protest note had been delivered to the Colombian ambassador in Chile, Sebastián Guanumen, to express «our displeasure with President Colombia’s unacceptable remarks.»
«Pinochet Represents Nazis in Latin American History, and with Kast, Hitler’s Ideas Return to the Southern Cone»
Days later, despite the Foreign Ministry’s actions, Petro reiterated his condemnation of Kast, asserting that «what has won in Chile is not the right; do not be mistaken, what has won is the extreme right, which in Latin America is pure and simple fascism. They are Nazis, not just franquistas, and they unleash, without regret, genocides.»
While he noted he did not contest the extreme right’s victory, he warned that Kast’s ascendance to La Moneda marks the return of «Hitler’s ideas» to the Southern Cone.
«Nobody questions the electoral outcome of Mr. Kast in Chile; his victory is decisive, but it is not a triumph for life and humanity. And we cannot be led, in the name of politeness, to confuse that Kast’s faction is not truly fascist. And fascism cannot be congenial,» he stated in a message posted on X, responding to comments regarding Kast’s victory made by Alejandro Gaviria, who was Education Minister during Petro’s initial term.
«It’s simply a change within the republican formats, they say, that Mr. Kast is handed the presidency by a society that still longs for Pinochet. They say it’s normal; the pendulum is returning to the right place in history. They say it was necessary to kill President Allende,» he remarked.
This time, Petro cautioned that Kast’s presidency does not indicate «a peaceful return to neoliberalism» but signifies «the transition from the end of neoliberalism to an era of suicidal barbarism.»
«The people must declare themselves in resistance until a working and youth majority is reestablished in history,» he emphasized.
«They Chose Kast and Again the Violent War Against Youth»
In early June, the progressive leader reacted to police repression against students protesting against Kast’s government and its decision to impose a 3% budget cut across all ministries, including Education, affecting school program development.
The marches, organized by the Confederation of Students of Chile (Confech), took place in Santiago and several other cities with participation from representatives of the Teachers’ Association, early childhood educators, and social organizations. However, demonstrators faced violent actions from Carabineros who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them, resulting in 35 arrests and several injuries, including a law student from the University of Chile who suffered multiple fractures and required surgery.
In light of this situation, the Colombian leader shared on social media: «They chose Kast, and once again, the violent war against the youth is upon us.»
Petro Accuses Kast of «Arrogance» and «Disdain» After Attack on Mother and Son in La Araucanía
One of Petro’s most recent statements regarding Chile came just over a month ago when he joined the chorus of criticism against Kast for attacking a woman and her son after the boy denied him a handshake during an event in Villarrica, La Araucanía region.
Through his social media, he stated, «This style of governing is from a line that intends to dominate all of Latin America.»
«When arrogance and disdain for the people are brought to power, the people must resist to defend their rights,» he said.
As Petro bids farewell to the presidency, his statements serve as a testament to a progressive leader who viewed with concern the political shift in a country that, in his eyes, was reopening the avenues, but for the specter of authoritarianism.
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