<p>Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday.</p>

<p>Pledging to unite the polarised country in the fight against inequality and climate change, the former member of the M-19 guerrilla group promised to revive scuppered peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.</p>

<p>Saying the United States-led war on drugs has failed, he called for a new international strategy to fight drug trafficking.</p>

<p>During his inauguration speech, he said "I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies. I want a strong, just, and united Colombia."</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-gustavo-petro-the-ex-guerilla-whos-top-contender-for-colombia-president-483749">Also read |&nbsp;Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader</a></strong></p>

<p>Petro's oath-taking ceremony was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and at least nine Latin American presidents along with 100,000 invitees.</p>

<p>The 62-year-old former senator had defeated conservative parties that failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas.</p>

<p>Highlighting that climate change must be fought internationally, Petro vowed that Colombia would transition to an economy without coal or oil.</p>

<p>Fueling the popularity of leftist parties in national elections, the focus of voters was turned away from the violent conflicts playing out in rural areas and gave prominence to problems like poverty and corruption by a 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.</p>

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Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday.

Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday. Pledging to unite the polarised country in the fight against inequality and climate change, the former member of the M-19 guerrilla group promised to revive scuppered peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels. Saying the United States-led war on drugs has failed, he called for a new international strategy to fight drug trafficking. During his inauguration speech, he said "I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies. I want a strong, just, and united Colombia." Also read | Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader Petro's oath-taking ceremony was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and at least nine Latin American presidents along with 100,000 invitees. The 62-year-old former senator had defeated conservative parties that failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas. Highlighting that climate change must be fought internationally, Petro vowed that Colombia would transition to an economy without coal or oil. Fueling the popularity of leftist parties in national elections, the focus of voters was turned away from the violent conflicts playing out in rural areas and gave prominence to problems like poverty and corruption by a 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. ×

Former guerrilla leader takes oath as Colombia’s first leftist president

Colombia has elected its first left-wing President. Gustavo Petro has won #ColombiaVota2022 by securing 50.4% of the vote. Before he entered politics, Petro was a 'guerrilla fighter' in the notorious #M19 group. Palki Sharma gets you his profile.

Gravitas: Colombia elects former guerrilla rebel as President

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