Colombian doctors rejected Petro's statements about their profession: "They spend their time drinking tinto on the 93rd Street."

The Colombian medical union strongly condemned the statements made by President Gustavo Petro on June 21 in Medellín , where he criticized medical education in the country.

At a public event, the president stated: “ That's why medicine in this country is so bad: because in Colombia, only the children of the rich study it. And when they finish, they spend all day drinking tinto on 93rd Street .”

These statements, made in a setting where the president shared the stage with leaders of criminal gangs, generated a strong reaction from the Colombian Urology Society (SCU), which represents nearly 1,000 urologists across the country.

In a statement issued on June 24, 2025, the SCU described the presidential statements as an unfair generalization that casts doubt on the quality, vocation, and track record of the Colombian medical profession.

The community warned that comments of this nature not only misinform citizens but also undermine decades of collective efforts by health professionals.

" It represents generations of professionals trained with scientific rigor, service ethics, personal sacrifice, and a firm commitment to the health of Colombians ," said the SCU.

According to the union, its members have not been defined by economic privilege, but by merit, vocation, and resilience in the face of a system that demands more than it offers.

The SCU also emphasized the conditions under which medicine is practiced in Colombia. It noted that far from being a comfortable or easily accessible profession, it entails long work hours, a high emotional burden, legal risks, and constant administrative challenges.

"We, those of us who operate, research, care for patients in urban and rural areas, and teach new generations, know this well," they stated.

The union emphasized that practicing medicine in the country requires constant dedication, which goes far beyond the stereotypes projected by the president's statements.

In its statement, the SCU also highlighted the inclusive nature of the Colombian medical education system. According to the statement, this training has historically been the result of a joint effort between the public and private sectors, without ideological distinctions or exclusions, with the common goal of training professionals to serve the country.

The organization called on the national government and society in general to ensure that the debate on medical education and health reform is conducted with integrity, seriousness, and verifiable foundations.

"Real transformation is not achieved by discrediting those who uphold the system, but by working together with those who know it from the inside," the SCU stated.

The Colombian Urology Society reiterated its willingness to contribute technically to strengthening the health system and ensuring equitable access to quality medical education.

In its statement, the union insisted that respect, truth, and collaborative work are essential conditions for advancing effective reform of the system.

“ Public health is built on knowledge, not prejudice ,” the society concluded, reaffirming its commitment to training new professionals and providing comprehensive medical care throughout the country.

*This content was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on publicly available information released to media outlets. It was also reviewed by a journalist and an editor.