bogotá – Colombian President Gustavo Petro has publicly accused organized groups of waging a sophisticated disinformation campaign online, alleging the coordinated manipulation of public opinion through fake social media profiles and damaging smears. The accusations, made via president Petro’s X account on january 11, come as Colombia – a nation with a complex history of political polarization [[1]] – grapples with the growing threat of digital interference in its political discourse. Petro has termed these alleged networks “bodegas,” claiming they represent a deliberate and financially-backed effort to undermine accurate data and sway public debate, raising concerns about the integrity of upcoming elections and democratic processes.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused organized groups of manipulating public opinion through disinformation campaigns on social media, alleging the use of fake profiles and smear tactics. The accusations come amid a national debate over the spread of false information and its impact on political discourse.
Petro, speaking on his X account, described these networks – which he termed “bodegas” – as requiring significant financial resources, technological infrastructure, and server capacity to operate in a coordinated manner. He asserted that these are not the result of spontaneous citizen activism, but rather deliberate efforts to distort information and influence public debate.
According to the president, these so-called “bodegas” are aligned with far-right factions and function as tools for “communication warfare,” employing aggression and defamation to sway public opinion. He characterized these actions as a crime that infringes upon citizens’ right to accurate information.
Petro also raised concerns about the lack of progress in investigations by the Attorney General’s Office regarding these digital structures. He indicated that, to date, there has been no visible advancement in identifying those responsible for operating the networks.
The president’s statements add to growing scrutiny of disinformation on social media platforms and the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to combat the manipulation of information, particularly in political contexts. The allegations highlight the challenges governments face in addressing the spread of false narratives online.
