The economist Gustavo Petro, together with the lawyer and socio-environmental activist Francia Márquez, became this Sunday the highest elected authorities to hold the reins of Colombia for the next four years. His coalition, the Historical Pact, obtained more than 11 million votes, 50.4% of the favor of Colombian voters. Leaders of Latin America and other continental presidents have already reacted to the leftist’s victory.
With more than 50% of the votes, Gustavo Petro became the first elected leftist president in Colombia this Sunday, thus changing the course of that country’s political history.
The 62-year-old economist will arrive at the Casa de Nariño on August 7 in his third attempt to reach the presidency. Petro has a long tradition in public life: he was a local councilor, congressman, senator of the Republic and mayor of Bogorá between 2012 and 2015. In the 1980s, he belonged to the M-19 guerrilla, in its political arm.
On May 29, with 8.5 million supports, Petro and its vice-presidential formula, Francia Márquez, became the party with the most votes by Colombians. An already historic result for a representative of the left.
In this second round of elections, he also achieved another historic milestone. He added more than 11.2 million votes, supported by the largest unregistered voter turnout since the 1998 elections.
After his historic victory, regional and continental leaders wanted to transfer their messages to the new presidential ticket. Likewise, figures from the Colombian political front line also reacted to the triumph of the Historical Pact.
Reactions to the triumph of the Historical Pact
One of the first regional leaders to react was the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In various messages on his twitter account, he celebrated this triumph.
Gustavo Petro’s triumph is historic. Colombia’s conservatives have always been tenacious and tough. The writer José María Vargas Vila recounted that the dictators of his country dipped his dagger in holy water before killing, “said the president.
Gustavo Petro’s triumph is historic.
Colombia’s conservatives have always been tenacious and tough. The writer José María Vargas Vila recounted that the dictators of his country “dipped his dagger in holy water before killing.” 1/3
– Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) June 19, 2022
At the same time, greetings arrived from Bolivia. Its president Luis Arce also joined the achievement of the leaders of the Historical Pact.
“Congratulations for the Colombian people! Our congratulations to brother Petro and sister Márquez for their victory today at the polls. Latin American integration is strengthened. We join the party of the Colombians. Jallalla #Colombia!” said Arce.
Likewise, former President Evo Morales said: “We congratulate the people of Colombia, brother @petrogustavo, newly elected president, and sister @FranciaMarquezM, the first Afro-descendant vice president in the history of that country for her undisputed victory at the polls. It is the victory of peace, truth and dignity”
We congratulate the people of Colombia, brother @petrogustavonewly elected president and sister @FranciaMarquezM, first Afro-descendant vice president in the history of that country for her indisputable victory at the polls. It is the victory of peace, truth and dignity. pic.twitter.com/fmC8fxvxGA
– Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) June 19, 2022
The leaders of Latin American progressivism, were adding their greetings through social networks.
From the Southern Cone, Alberto Fernández, Argentine president, described the victory of the Petro-Márquez duo as an opportunity for the unification of Latin America. “His victory validates democracy and ensures the path towards an integrated Latin America, at this time that demands the maximum solidarity between brother peoples,” said Fernández.
Likewise, the president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, congratulated the Colombian people: “On behalf of the people of Honduras, I congratulate the brave people of Colombia for choosing the historic social change that President-elect Gustavo Petro represents today,” the president wrote.
On behalf of the people of Honduras, I congratulate the brave people of Colombia for electing the historic social change that the President-elect represents today. @petrogustavo.
– Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) June 19, 2022
The message from the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, congratulating the victory of Petro and Márquez was also present.
“I just spoke with Petro to congratulate him on his victory in the presidency of Colombia together with Francia Márquez. Joy for Latin America! We will work together for the unity of our continent in the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We continue!” Boric said.
I just talked with @petrogustavo to congratulate him on his triumph in the presidency of Colombia together with @FranciaMarquezM. Joy for Latin America! We will work together for the unity of our continent in the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We continue!
— Gabriel Boric Font (@gabrielboric) June 19, 2022
The tensions between the governments of Colombia and those of Venezuela, led by Chavismo, in recent years are well known in the region. Even their diplomatic relations have been interrupted by political differences between the two nations. However, the greeting of the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, for the first time, arrived.
“I congratulate Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez for their historic victory in the Presidential elections in Colombia. The will of the Colombian people, who came out to defend the path of democracy and peace, was heard. New times are in sight for this sister country,” Maduro said.
I congratulate Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez for their historic victory in the Presidential elections in Colombia. The will of the Colombian people, who came out to defend the path of democracy and peace, was heard. New times are in sight for this sister country. pic.twitter.com/FxodCn9Uqx
– Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) June 19, 2022
Messages hailing the result of the Historical Pact also came from some conservative leaders in Latin America. One of those came from Panama: “On behalf of Panama, I congratulate the president-elect of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, for his arrival at the Casa de Nariño. I wish for the strengthening of the democracy of the sister country and the historical ties that unite our peoples”, said President Nito Cortizo.
For his part, from his neighboring country, Ecuador, President Guillermo Lasso greeted the Colombian people and called for unity.
“I have congratulated Petro by phone for his election as president of our sister Republic of Colombia and I reiterated our government’s willingness to strengthen friendship and cooperation, prioritizing the development and integration of our peoples,” Lasso shared.
The United States, the historical ally of Colombia, welcomes the electoral result
Finally, one of the greatest allies of the right-wing governments in Colombia sent his regards. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, congratulated Colombia and assured that they hope to maintain diplomatic relations.
Congratulations to the Colombian people for exercising their right to vote and reaffirming the strength of their democracy. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with President-Elect @petrogustavo and building a more democratic and equitable hemisphere.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 20, 2022
“Congratulations to the Colombian people for exercising their right to vote and reaffirming the strength of their democracy. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with President-elect Gustavo Petro and building a more democratic and equitable hemisphere,” Blinken wrote.
Political reactions within Colombia
One of the first to communicate with Petro was the outgoing president Ivan Duque, who through a message on his twitter account referred to his victory.
Call to @PetroGustavo to congratulate him as president-elect of the Colombians. We agreed to meet in the coming days to initiate a harmonious, institutional and transparent transition.
– Ivan Duke 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) June 19, 2022
Also on the local Colombian scene, the greeting of the mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, who applauded the election of Petro and Márquez on her social networks, was added.
Shortly after, the populist candidate and Petro’s opponent in this second round, Rodolfo Hernández, admitted defeat.
“I sincerely hope that this decision they have made is beneficial for everyone and that Colombia is heading towards the change that prevailed in the vote in the first round. I wish Dr. Gustavo Petro to know how to lead the country, to be firm in his speech against corruption and that he does not defraud those who trusted him,” Hernández said in a short message broadcast on Facebook.
Finally, the reaction of one of the strongest characters of the Colombian extreme right, former president Álvaro Uribe, appeared.
To defend democracy, it is necessary to abide by it. Gustavo Petro is the President. Let a feeling guide us: First Colombia
– Álvaro Uribe Vélez (@AlvaroUribeVel) June 19, 2022
Gustavo Petro achieves this triumph in the midst of a very convulsive scenario for Colombia, not only because of the history of violence that this Andean country has experienced for years, but also because of an indignation that deepened in the social protests in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Next to him comes the vice presidency, Francia Márquez. The candidate who makes history by becoming the first Afro woman and environmentalist to hold the vice presidency of Colombia.
On Monday morning, reactions from European leaders will also be awaited.
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