Colombia Retreats: Labor Reform Referendum Withdrawn

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced the withdrawal of a planned referendum on labor reforms after the Senate approved a modified version of the proposal. Initially, Petro had set the referendum in motion to align reforms with governmental aims, but a court's decision to suspend it influenced the retraction.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has opted to withdraw a referendum initially intended to seek voter approval for a package of labor reforms. The decision came after the Senate passed a revised version of the reforms, which had been the subject of extensive debate.

President Petro had introduced the referendum last week, asserting that it would proceed unless the Senate-approved legislation conformed closely to the administration's objectives. However, the plan faced a setback when a high court suspended the decree, putting a damper on Petro's ambitions.

The move to retract the referendum illustrates the complex political maneuvers at play in aligning legislative actions with the president's reformative vision, showcasing the tensions between various branches of government and policymakers.

(With inputs from agencies.)