INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
his rival Rodolfo Hernandez, a business mogul, with 50.47 percent of the vote in the runoff election, which was heavily focused on
increasing inequality and rising costs of living.The 62-year-old pledged profound social and economic change and has named Francia Marquez,
a prize-winning defender of human and environmental rights, as vice-president, marking the first time a black woman fills the post.Around
22.6 million people voted, about 1.2 million more than in the first round
Petro will take office in July replacing the incumbent conservative Ivan Duque and spelling an end to right-wing rulers in the country, for
the next four years at least
Since 2015, the president is restricted to a single four-year term and barred from running for reelection.The victory has also expanded a
elections in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Honduras have seen new governments emerge that has expanded the leftist rule in
Latin America and Petro's victory has sparked a feeling of unity and togetherness amongst the new leaders.Mexico President Andres Manuel
war that broke out following the 1948 assassination of leftist presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan and triggered the ensuing
six-decade-long conflict between the state and left-wing guerrillas."Today's triumph can be the end of this curse and the awakening for this
democracy and ensures the path towards an integrated Latin America in this time when we demand maximum solidarity amongst brother
peoples,"The Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who was elected earlier this year to replace conservative Sebastian Pinera, labeled Petro's
Pinera said.Peru's President Pedro Castillo, who is also a teacher and trade unionist, said he was looking forward to working with an ally,
despite the right-wing opposition dominating Peru's congress."We are united by a common feeling that seeks improved collective, social, and
States to topple his government and replace it with a Washington-friendly administration said "the will of the Colombian people has been
heard, it went out to defend the path to democracy and peace,"Maduro said "I congratulate Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez for their
historic victory in the presidential elections in Colombia
The will of the Colombian people was heard, who came out to defend the path of democracy and peace
New times are in sight for this brother country"In 2019, the Venezuelan government broke off diplomatic ties with Colombia after the now
outgoing President Duque-backed attempts by Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido, who claims to be the country's acting leader, to oust
Maduro.Petro has advocated for a reopening of ties with the elected Venezuelan government of President Maduro, ending the country's former
U.S., spoke of his hope for "advancing the development of bilateral relations for the wellbeing of our peoples."The United States recently
angered many Latin American leaders by not inviting the heads of Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela to the Summit of the Americas, leading to
the few remaining conservative leaders in Latin America: neighboring Ecuador's Guillermo Lasso, who last year beat the leftist Andres Arauz
is a rare recent success for the right.Lasso said he has spoken to Petro and "reiterated the availability of our government to strengthen
friendship and cooperation, prioritizing development and the integration of our peoples."Petro says he will try and unite the country,
call for unity and extended an olive branch to his opponents, saying all members of the opposition will be welcomed at the presidential
university education, wholesale land reform, a wealth tax on the largest 4,000 fortunes in the country, and the repeal of laws from two
Petro has said he would implement this partly by imposing levies on company dividends, offshore assets, and large rural estates; but will
fund universal free higher education and a minimum wage for 1.3 million people, and to cut the government deficit, which reached 7.1 percent
president of the National Business Association of Colombia
He understands economic issues
Army (ELN), said it was ready to reopen peace talks with the government after Petro was elected the country's first leftist
election result and the regional tide to the left.
