Colombia's President Gustavo Petro: Country's First Marxist Leader Takes Office
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is the country's first leftist leader, a former Marxist guerrilla who rose to prominence after years of fighting in the country's civil war. He took office as president in August 2022, marking a significant shift in Colombia's politics and government.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is a former Marxist guerrilla who has made history as the country's first leftist leader, marking a significant shift in the nation's politics. Born in 1959, Petro rose to prominence within the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a militant group that was dissolved in 2017. After years of involvement with the organization, he transitioned into politics and won the 2022 presidential election, taking office as the first leftist leader in Colombian history. His presidency marks a new era for the country, with Petro vowing to promote social justice and address the legacy of conflict that has plagued Colombia for decades.
