Senator Cabal Accuses President Petro of Lavish Spending on Newโฃ York Trip, Alleging $650 Million Pesoโ Expenditure
BOGOTร – โ Senator Marรญa Fernanda Cabal has publicly accused President Gustavo Petro of excessive spending during a recent trip to New York, alleging expenditures exceeding 650 million pesos (approximately $150,000 USD) between September 21 and 27, 2025. Cabal further claims Petro’s actions during the trip caused “international ridicule” for Colombia, specifically citing a call โคsheโ alleges encouraged insubordination within the Unitedโ States Armed โฃForces.
The accusations,leveled via social media on November 18,2025,center on what Cabal describes as an โ”oversized and expensive entourage” accompanyingโค Petroโฃ on the trip. The senator argues the โscale of resources allocated to theโ journey is disproportionate toโค its relevance, especially given domestic needs for funding in areas like health, security, education, and housing.โฃ This controversy โarrives as Petro’s management faces ongoing scrutiny regarding budgetary prioritiesโค and economic policy.
Cabal โคdetailed her concernsโ in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), โincluding a โscreenshot of a tweet from Petro using the hashtag #Petro’sTrips. Beyondโฃ the financial โimplications, Cabal asserts Petro’s conduct during the trip damaged Colombia’s international standing. She specificallyโข referenced a purported call for “insubordination” directed towards the U.S. Armed Forces during anโข intervention in North american territory.
“There is no money here for health, security, education or housing; but there is moneyโ for Petro, his ministers and family abroad,” Cabal stated in a post. She concluded by characterizing the expenses as โevidence of a “disconnection” between the president and the needs of the country, suggesting Petro prioritizes “tours and inflammatory speeches” โover concrete solutions.