Gustavo Petro was sworn in as the President of Colombia on Sunday. He is the country’s first left-wing president. Soon after being sworn in, he pledged to achieve social equality, fight climate change, achieve peace in the country and end the ‘failed’ war on drugs. News from Anadolu.
His running mate Francisca Marquez became the country’s vice president. She is the nation’s first black female vice president.
Right-wing politician Ivan Duque was the country’s president before Petro took over. who failed to curb unemployment, rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders during his rule.
Petro was a former member of the leftist guerrilla organization M-19 and mayor of Bogotá. who was narrowly elected president of Colombia promising to tackle rampant poverty and inequality.
In his first speech after becoming president, Petro said, ’10 percent of Colombian citizens have accumulated 70 percent of the wealth. It is totally uneconomic and unethical. Let us not normalize inequality and poverty.’
The meeting was attended by King Felipe VI of Spain, President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez, President of Chile Gabriel Boric, President of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso and top level delegation of the United States. Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was invited to the meeting, but could not attend because lawmakers rejected his request to visit Bogotá. Five investigations are going on against him.
Petro’s rise to power has sparked hope among Colombians who believe in his promises. His coming to power meant an end to long-standing tensions between Colombia and Venezuela and a re-establishment of relations.
The foreign ministers of the two countries announced on August 7 that ambassadors would be appointed and consulates opened when the new president took office.
