Former rebel Gustavo Petro is Colombia’s first leftist president. During his four-year term, the new president has promised to raise taxes for the rich, invest in healthcare and education.
Colombia’s new president, Gustavo Petro, was sworn in on Sunday in Bogota, Colombia.
The 62-year-old Petro is the first left-wing president in the history of Colombia. The former rebel won the election in June with 50.5 percent support.
Petro’s opponent in the second round was a populist businessman Rodolfo Hernandezwhich is designated as local to Donald Trump. Hernandez’s support remained at 47.3 percent.
– I swear in the name of God and I promise the people that I will faithfully follow the Colombian constitution and laws, Petro said in his inauguration speech.
– I am trying to bring to Colombia what it has not had for centuries, namely peace, the president said.
During his four-year term, Petro has promised to raise taxes for the rich, invest in healthcare and education, and promised to bring significant social and economic change to the country.
His intention is also to restore diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
Petro’s presidency is also historic in another sense. He is assisted by the first Afro-Colombian female vice president, a 40-year-old advocate for the environment and women’s rights Francia Marquez.
Colombia’s presidential election was overshadowed by the country’s rampant poverty and violence. For example, in the first round of the presidential race, the candidates received death threats.
An outgoing president, very unpopular with conservatives Ivan Duqueta was prevented from running for office.