A fierce power struggle has erupted within Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s inner circle, pitting two of his closest allies—Interior Minister Armando Benedetti and Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia—against each other. According to a new report, the feud has escalated from personal disputes to legal warfare, with both sides trading accusations that threaten the stability of Petro’s government.
Semana magazine reports that Benedetti and Sarabia are “trying to rip each other’s eyes out” in a bitter contest for influence, drawing in other top officials, including Angie Rodríguez, Petro’s powerful DAPRE chief, and lawyer Mauricio Pava, a key Petro ally. The conflict comes amid weeks of damaging headlines alleging Petro’s drug abuse and disappearance during official trips abroad.
Benedetti and Sarabia have been at the center of multiple scandals, including the 2023 “nannygate” wiretapping scandal that briefly ousted them from government. In April, Sarabia accused Benedetti of gender-based violence, illicit enrichment, and aggression, while Benedetti admitted to struggles with addiction. A counter-complaint was filed against Sarabia for allegedly misusing government resources.
Rodríguez, once aligned with Benedetti, has emerged as a central player in the drama, reportedly serving as Petro’s “new right hand” in the Casa de Nariño presidential palace. Sarabia’s influence has waned, while Pava, a longtime Petro confidant, has fiercely defended her in public, using allegorical references to The Lord of the Rings to portray Benedetti as a manipulative figure undermining the president.
The swirling allegations have sparked speculation about personal relationships, backroom deals, and hidden agendas. While Sarabia dismisses the idea that her actions are driven by any man, the toxic feud inside Petro’s government is widely seen as a major threat to its stability. With high-profile resignations and public accusations mounting, Colombia’s political landscape is on edge.
