Colombia elects former guerrilla Petro as first leftist president

BOGOTA/BUCARAMANGA, June 19 (Reuters) – Leftist Gustavo Petro, a previous member of the M-19 guerrilla motion, who has vowed profound social and economic transform, won Colombia’s presidency on Sunday, the first progressive to do so in the country’s history.

Petro defeat building magnate Rodolfo Hernandez with an unexpectedly huge margin of additional than 700,000 votes in what analysts mentioned was a demonstration of Colombians’ eagerness for efforts to overcome deep inequality.

Petro, a former mayor of funds Bogota and current senator, has pledged to struggle inequality with free university education and learning, pension reforms and significant taxes on unproductive land. He received 50.5% to Hernandez’s 47.3%.

Petro’s proposals – specifically a ban on new oil projects – have startled some buyers, while he has promised to respect recent contracts. read far more

His victory was likely to result in industry jitters until his cupboard is introduced, analysts advised Reuters on Sunday.

“From today Colombia modifications Colombia is distinctive,” Petro informed cheering supporters in Bogota’s concert arena. “Adjust is made up exactly in leaving driving sectarianism.”

“It is not a time for detest, this federal government, which will start on Aug. 7, is a authorities of lifetime,” he reported.

Alejandro Forero, 40, who utilizes a wheelchair, cried as benefits came in.

“Eventually, thank God. I know he will be a good president and he will aid those people of us who are least privileged. This is likely to change for the better,” claimed Forero, who is unemployed.

Thousands of people today took to the streets in Bogota to rejoice, with some dancing in close proximity to its major polling location below intermittent rain.

This campaign was Petro’s third presidential bid and his victory adds the Andean nation to a record of Latin American nations that have elected progressives in modern yrs.

Petro’s victory confirmed people today in Colombia – in which approximately 50 % the inhabitants life in some kind of poverty – are keen to battle inequality, said Daniela Cuellar of FTI Consulting.

“What the Colombian inhabitants shown now is that they are seeking a governing administration focused on vital social challenges,” she reported. “Colombia’s longstanding conditions of inequality, which were exacerbated by COVID-19, have contributed to the voters looking for a change.”

But a fragmented congress, where by a dozen events have seats, will act as a test on Petro’s proposals.

“Colombia’s institutional power and rule of regulation look adequately robust for the country to manage financial steadiness,” Cuellar stated. “Additionally, campaigning is not governing, Petro’s guidelines will be more reasonable.”

“Even if he tries to go radical reforms, he does not have the congressional assist to put into practice them,” she added.

Petro, 62, explained he was tortured by the army when he was detained for his involvement with the guerrillas, and his probable victory had higher-position armed forces officers bracing for transform. go through a lot more

Petro’s operating mate, Francia Marquez, a one mother and former housekeeper, will be the country’s initially Afro-Colombian female vice-president. go through far more

“Now I am voting for my daughter – she turned 15 two months ago and questioned for just a person present: that I vote for Petro,” explained stability guard Pedro Vargas, 48, in Bogota’s southwest on Sunday morning.

“I hope this gentleman fulfills the hopes of my daughter, she has a large amount of faith in his claims,” included Vargas, who stated he generally does not vote.

Petro has also pledged to entirely put into action a 2016 peace offer with FARC rebels and search for talks with the even now-energetic ELN guerrillas.

Sector JITTERS

Analysts have claimed the proposed halt to oil improvement could mail expenditure in other places at a time when Colombia is battling with lower credit history ratings, a large trade deficit and nationwide debt which has doubled to 72% of GDP more than the last ten years.

Oil accounts for virtually half of exports and near to 10% of national profits, but Petro argues new jobs ought to be barred for environmental motives and to transfer Colombia absent from dependence on the industry.

Petro has also promised to improve taxes and royalties on extractive industries and charge significant landholders for unproductive land, boosting some $5.2 billion. He also proposes to increase up to $3.9 billion by progressively taxing corporations.

“We imagine on Tuesday the two fascination prices on TES bonds and the exchange level will depreciate, but we require to see what variety of rhetoric Petro presents us, what type of cabinet he’ll give us,” claimed Sergio Olarte, head economist for Colombia at Scotiabank.

Monday is a holiday in Colombia.

“The magnitude of movements in the coming buying and selling sessions will rely on the financial line that the new president provides,” agreed David Cubides, head economist at Allianz brokerage, who stated he expects neighborhood sector volatility all through the upcoming 7 days.

Present President Ivan Duque tweeted he had named to congratulate Petro, and they have scheduled a conference in coming days to ensure a harmonious transition.

Colombian presidents are confined to just one term.

Some 22.6 million persons voted, about 1.2 million much more than in the 1st round. Some 2.3% of voters turned in protest votes, backing neither applicant.

Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra, Oliver Griffin, Carlos Vargas, Luis Jaime Acosta and Julia Symmes Cobb
Composing by Julia Symmes Cobb
Editing by Grant McCool, Chizu Nomiyama, Lisa Shumaker and Nick Zieminski

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