The leftist's win was a resounding rejection of the political establishment that has ruled the South American nation for two centuries.
, a wealthy businessman who garnered about 47 percent of the vote in a race initially expected to be tight.
“Peace means a Colombian society with opportunities. Peace means that someone like me can become president or someone like Francia can be vice president,” he said. “Peace means that we must stop killing one another.”Hernández swiftly accepted the results on Twitter. Analysts worry about his willingness to work around Congress and other democratic institutions to push through his agenda. Others predict he will not be able to deliver on his promises with a divided legislature. As mayor of Bogotá, Petro oversaw a slew of staff departures and was criticized for refusing to listen to his advisers.
Petro argues that counternarcotics policies over the past several decades have been a failure and that aerial eradication of coca has done nothing to reduce the flow of cocaine to the United States. He has vowed to focus instead on crop substitution. He has also suggested changing the extradition treaty between the two countries.“The prospects of continuing our normal approach with respect to confronting transnational crime are about zero,” said Kevin Whitaker, former U.S.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Colombia elects former rebel Gustavo Petro to become country's first leftist presidentColombia elected its first leftist president on Sunday, as former rebel Gustavo Petro narrowly edged out political outsider Rodolfo Hernández.
Read more »
Colombia elects Gustavo Petro as country's first leftist presidentPetro's running mate, Francia Márquez, is set to become the country's first Black vice president.
Read more »
Ex-Rebel Gustavo Petro Wins Runoff to be Colombia's First Leftist PresidentFormer rebel Gustavo Petro has narrowly won a runoff election in Colombia over a political outsider millionaire, ushering in a new era of politics by becoming the country’s first leftist president.
Read more »
Gustavo Petro wins Colombian presidential raceGustavo Petro is elected the next president of Colombia. The former guerrilla fighter will be the country's first leftist leader.
Read more »
Leftist former rebel Gustavo Petro narrowly wins Colombia's presidential electionLeftist former rebel Gustavo Petro won Colombia’s presidential runoff election Sunday over a real estate millionaire, ushering in a new era of politics in the South American country.
Read more »
Ex-guerilla rebel Gustavo Petro wins runoff to be Colombia’s 1st leftist presidentFormer rebel Gustavo Petro narrowly won a runoff election over a political outsider millionaire Sunday.
Read more »