Gustavo Petro Says He Will Leave X Over Its Ideological Bias

Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced that he will cease using X as his primary means of communication due to the platform's ideological bias, which he claims restricts progressive ideas and favors the far right. The decision marks a significant shift in Petro's digital communication strategy, as social media has long been a crucial tool for addressing public opinion, countering opponents, and shaping national debate.

Petro announced that his WhatsApp account will now serve as his primary personal communication channel, despite the potential loss of a larger audience. He acknowledged that his follower count on X stands at approximately 9.1 million, whereas his WhatsApp channel currently has around 600,000 subscribers. Despite this setback, Petro remains committed to his decision, believing that the quality of communication and direct engagement with followers outweigh the sheer number of followers.

His criticism of X centers on the platform's content distribution algorithms, which he alleges amplify hate speech and suppress progressive viewpoints. This decision comes amid ongoing debates about the political influence of digital platforms and their role in shaping public discourse. Since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022, the platform has been embroiled in controversies surrounding content moderation, freedom of expression, and the impact of algorithms on political narratives.

Musk's own political inclinations, particularly his support for far-right movements and leaders, have further fueled these discussions.