In a country historically dominated by conservative governments, Gustavo Petro's presidency marks a significant shift towards the left for Colombia. However, as the country's first-ever left-wing president, Petro has faced numerous challenges and growing criticism during his two-year tenure.

Petro, a former left-wing guerrilla and Bogotá mayor, entered office with a pledge to transform Colombia into a more equal society. While he has managed to achieve some accomplishments, such as implementing a more equitable tax code and reestablishing diplomatic ties with neighboring Venezuela, his initiatives for healthcare, pension, and labor code reforms have stalled in Congress.

Critics argue that Petro's own actions and governance style have further hindered his progress. Known for lashing out at his critics on social media and delivering incendiary speeches, Petro's confrontational approach has alienated moderate members of his Cabinet and eroded their support. Former education minister Alejandro Gaviria, who lasted only six months in Petro's government, characterized him as a chaotic administrator.

Furthermore, Petro's leadership has been marred by family scandals. His eldest son, Nicolás Petro, has been indicted for allegedly accepting donations from drug traffickers intended for his father's presidential campaign. The President's brother, Juan Fernando Petro, is under investigation for allegedly seeking payments from jailed drug dealers. Petro has distanced himself from these cases, emphasizing that justice should prevail.

Additionally, Petro's push to appoint Colombia's first female attorney general has been met with opposition from the Supreme Court, which has delayed approving his nominee. This has sparked outrage among Petro's supporters, who gathered around the Supreme Court building in protest last month.

Petro, in response to the challenges he faces, has accused corrupt politicians and conservative elements within Colombia's institutions of orchestrating a bureaucratic coup against his government. This aligns with a larger theory within the Latin American left that reactionary institutions employ legal tactics to delegitimize and remove progressive leaders.

However, legal scholars and other observers argue that Petro's difficulties are largely of his own making. They contend that his inability to reach across the aisle, compromise, and build consensus contributes to the gridlock he faces. Senator Miguel Uribe believes Petro's mentality, shaped by his past as a fighter in the M-19 guerrilla group, hinders his ability to govern effectively.

The controversies and challenges faced by Petro have taken a toll on his approval rating. After starting his term with a 48% approval rating, it dropped to 26% before climbing slightly to 35% in February, according to surveys conducted by pollster Invamer.

As Petro approaches the halfway point of his four-year term, critics question his ability to deliver on his promises and govern effectively. However, with two more years in office, Petro still has an opportunity to address his shortcomings and turn things around for his government. Only time will tell if he can transform his provocative style into effective leadership for the benefit of the Colombian people.