Former guerilla fighter Gustavo Petro has made history in Colombia after winning the votes in the country's election and is set to become the first leftist leader of the region.
The longtime senator has pledged to transform the country's economic system and has set the third largest nation in Latin America on a radically new path. The 62-year-old received more than 50% of the vote, with more than 99% counted on Sunday evening.
Colombia's First Leftist President
Petro's presidential rival, Hernandez, a construction magnate who had energized the country with a scorched-earth anti-corruption platform, received just over 47%. Shortly after the vote, Hernandez announced that he was conceding to Petro, saying that Colombians have chosen his rival candidate.
Just a little bit more than 58% of Colombia's 39 million registered voters turned out to cast a ballot in the most recent elections. Petro's victory reflects widespread discontent in the country, which is home to roughly 50 million people.
There is the issue of poverty and inequality that are on the rise and widespread dissatisfaction with a lack of opportunity. There are also issues that sent hundreds of thousands of people to demonstrate in the streets last year, as per the New York Times.
A Colombia political scientist, Fernando Posada, said that the entire country was already begging for a change, noting that it was "absolutely clear." Petro's presidential win is all the more significant because of the country's history.
For decades, the government has fought a brutal leftist insurgency that is known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The stigma from the conflict made it much more difficult for a legitimate left-leaning politician to flourish.
According to CNN, during the former guerilla fighter's victory speech on Sunday night, he said that he was open to dialogue with Hernandez. He also called for a Great National agreement to end violence in the nation. He argued that what his government was going to bring was "real change."
Peace for the Future
Petro said that change was what they were committing their lives to and pledged not to betray the electorate that has demanded that Colombia change for the betterment of the future. In a Twitter post, the president-elect said that they were hoping that many sufferings be cushioned in the joy that "today floods the heart of the homeland."
In a statement, outgoing President Ivan Duque said that he called Petro to congratulate him on his victory. He also noted that they had "agreed to meet in the coming days to initiate a harmonious, institutional, and transparent transition" of power."
Speaking beside Colombia's first Black female Vice President Francia Marquez, Petro said that peace meant a Colombia society with opportunities. He noted that it means someone like him can become president and someone like Francia can become vice president.
The crowd, listening and waving Colombia flags, erupted in cheers, chanting together with the phrase, "No more war!" In a video address on social media, Hernandez said that he hoped the decision to elect Petro will become beneficial for everyone, the Washington Post reported.
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