“It Brings Hope”: Colombia Inaugurates Leftist Former Guerrilla as Pres. & Afro-Colombian Woman as VP
Democracy NowAug 08, 2022
Gustavo Petro, a former senator and member of the demobilized M-19 rebel group, was sworn in as Pres. of Colombia on Sun., becoming the first leftist to hold the office in the country's history.
In his inauguration speech, Petro pledged to fight poverty and hunger and to engage in talks with armed rebel groups. He also plans to redistribute wealth, modernize the countryside, and adopt green economic policies.
This is a historic moment for Colombia and brings a feeling of hope to the nation and the world. Although the Petro admin. will face big challenges, this is a much needed change to unite the nation, bring peace, and protect the environment.
Petro's radical policies will most certainly threaten the Colombian economy and likely impact the entire continent. His victory will endanger Colombia's longtime alliance with the US in the anti-narcos fight and in countering Venezuela, potentially allowing China to become even more influential in Latin America.