BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro called Monday on his supporters to protect his government's social and economic reforms and resist any efforts by the incoming administration to change the nation's labor laws.
The left-wing leader accused Israel and the United States of interfering in Colombia's recent presidential election, in a lengthy speech Monday that marked the nation's Independence Day and that he said would be his last as the nation's head of state.
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and dual U.S.-Colombian citizen, has promised to cut government spending by up to 40% and draft labor laws that will enable companies to hire employees on an hourly basis. He will be sworn in on Aug. 7.
Petro doubled down on accusations of electoral fraud, saying he would soon provide evidence on how vote tallies were rigged with the help of software supplied by Israel. Colombia's electoral authorities have dismissed allegations of fraud.
Petro also urged his supporters to mobilize "by the millions" and organize strikes if the nation's incoming government tries to change labor laws, which have increased overtime pay and made it harder for companies in Colombia to hire workers on short-term contracts.
