Colombian leftist Gustavo Petro tops first round of the Andean country's presidential race and faces a surprise contender in next round – businessman Rodolfo Hernandez
Gustavo Petro has promised to make significant adjustments to the economy, including tax reform, and to change how Colombia fights drug cartels and other armed groups.
Voters in the South American country went to the polls amid a polarised environment and growing discontent over increasing inequality and inflation. This was the second presidential election held since the government signed in 2016 a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC for its initials in Spanish.
Petro and his running mate, Francia Marquez, upped their security significantly after they denounced threats against them. Election Day took place peacefully for the most part across the country. But in the south-central state of Guaviare, three explosions were set off in rural areas far from polling stations, leaving a soldier with shrapnel wounds, said Defence Minister Diego Molano, who added that FARC dissident groups were allegedly responsible. The dissidents operate in the area.
Petro has said he would resume diplomatic relations with the government of Nicolas Maduro, broken with Duque since 2019.
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