Act of Love or Revictimization? The Controversial Case Shaking the National University and the Petro Government

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The recent case of alleged sexual abuse on the campus of the National University of Bogotá has sparked a profound and polarizing debate in Colombia. Statements by President Gustavo Petro, describing the incident as an «act of love,» have caused outrage and prompted reflection on the political leadership’s responsibility in addressing gender-based violence.

Gustavo Petro es un pervertido y genera un profundo asco. Hace unos días defendía a Daniel Mendoza y lo describía como un “emancipador del amor”. Ahora publicó—y luego borró—que la violación de una mujer en la Universidad Nacional fue un “acto de amor”.

¡Asco de tipo!🤮 pic.twitter.com/Y61XMvZxe4

— Luis David Caro (@LuisDavidCaro) December 21, 2024

The Case Context
On December 19, 2024, an alleged sexual assault was reported on the campus of the National University during a nighttime event that involved the consumption of psychoactive substances and group activities.

Initial reports claimed a young woman had been a victim of rape, prompting the immediate intervention of university authorities and the launch of a formal investigation. However, the victim later denied experiencing violence, complicating the initial narrative of the case.

Gustavo Petro calificó como “acto de amor” presunto caso de abuso sexual en la sede de la Universidad Nacional https://t.co/Ibrhz9i6mM

— HERSALZA (@neysaza) December 21, 2024

Gustavo Petro’s Controversial Statements
Through his profile on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), President Petro questioned the interpretation of the event, stating it was a «consensual act of love.» A truly repugnant comment.

This outrageous statement dismissed the initial accusations and, unsurprisingly, generated a wave of criticism from political, academic, and social sectors. University leaders, such as Rector Leopoldo Múnera, reaffirmed their commitment to reporting the case to the Attorney General’s Office, emphasizing the need to clarify the facts and ensure justice.

Institutional Response
In its official statement, the National University expressed «profound sadness» over the incident and reiterated its commitment to policies preventing gender-based violence.

It was reported that the alleged perpetrators had been identified and that investigations are progressing to clarify the facts.

Nevertheless, this case has highlighted the lack of controls at campus events and the vulnerability of open spaces within the university.

A Broader Debate on Political Discourse
President Petro’s words have been seen as a form of revictimization and a minimization of a structural problem. His comment reflects a lack of sensitivity toward gender-based violence issues and sends a contradictory message in a country striving to advance women’s rights.

In contrast, his supporters argue that his statements were taken out of context and that the investigation results should be awaited before drawing definitive conclusions. Of course, these are the same leftists who push feminist ideologies, chanting «I do believe you,» yet now defend Petro’s repugnant comment. Could the contradiction be any clearer?

President Gustavo Petro’s response to this grave incident reveals a bewildering lack of sensitivity and responsibility from a leader who, rather than understanding the gravity of sexual violence, minimizes victims’ suffering by labeling abuse as an «act of love.»

This unfortunate statement not only revictimizes those who have endured such assaults but also sends a dangerous message about normalizing violence in a country where femicides and sexual abuses are pressing issues.

Beyond words, Petro’s government must embrace its role as a defender of human rights, demonstrating through actions that it is committed to tackling this scourge without ambiguity or absurd justifications.

Impunity and indifference toward cases of gender-based violence not only erode trust in authorities but also perpetuate a cycle of injustice that Colombia cannot afford to tolerate.

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