Gustavo Petro’s first wish after being sworn in as President of Colombia this Sunday was that Simón Bolívar’s sword be brought to the inauguration ceremony. This weapon has symbolic value due to Petro’s previous militancy in the April 19 (M-19) guerrilla movement and was the subject of controversy during the Investiture itself. When the object arrived in Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, the heads of state or high-ranking dignitaries present from countries such as Chile, Argentina or Mexico rose from their chairs to greet it. All except King Felipe VI. But did the king rise before Bolívar’s sword or not?
In the video that accompanies this news, the position of King Felipe VI. analyzed both when the sword enters the stage and when it leaves it: he remained seated for a moment, but stood up when the relic left the stage. The departure of this symbolic object from the stage coincided with the end of the act and with it the subsequent departure of Petro and his companions. This has raised doubts as to whether the head of state stood up out of respect for the object or because the investiture was over.
The king’s gesture has sparked criticism on Colombian social networks and provoked numerous reactions from Spanish politicians. Podemos leaders have asked the government for clarifications, while Presidency Minister Félix Bolaños has called Felipe VI’s decision trivial and anecdotal.