Gustavo Petro
Highlights
- Gustavo Petro becomes first leftist president
- Received 50.5% of the vote in the second round of the presidential election held on 19 June 2022
- Many promises made to the public
Columbia News: Colombia’s first leftist president will take the oath of office on Sunday. Gustavo Petro is also a former rebel. He has promised to fight inequality and bring about a significant change in the history of a country ravaged by a prolonged war between the government and guerrilla groups. Gustavo Petro, a former member of Colombia’s M-19 guerrilla group, won the election in June by defeating the Conservatives. He secured 50.5% of the vote in the second round of the presidential election held on 19 June 2022.
have been rebels before
Former rebel Petro’s victory is also extraordinary for Colombia because voters in the country did not already support leftist leaders. Left leaders are often accused of being soft on crime or sympathizing with the guerrillas. Since the 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and armed groups, voters’ attention has shifted from violent conflicts to problems such as poverty and corruption.
It sought to seize power through violence following claims of fraud in the 1970 elections. Petro served time in prison for possessing illegal weapons. He joined the Urban Military Group at the age of 17. The M-19 was closed in 1990 and transformed into a political party. The newly elected president was involved in the now dissolved ‘M-19’ movement and was sentenced to prison for involvement with the group. Apology was given.
Petro made many promises to the public
Gustavo Petro, 62, has promised to address Colombia’s social and economic inequalities by increasing spending on poverty alleviation programs and investing in rural areas. He has also said he wants to start peace talks with remaining rebel groups fighting over drug routes, gold mines and other resources.
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