(Bogota) The outgoing conservative president of Colombia, Ivan Duque, promised on Monday a “transparent and efficient” transition with his left-wing successor Gustavo Petro, winner the day before the second round of the presidential election.
Posted at 5:45 p.m.
“Yesterday, we Colombians expressed our opinions and the first thing that must be recognized in order to defend democracy is the expression of the people. To the new president, I expressed my support for a seamless and efficient transition,” Duque said on Twitter.
Mr. Petro, 62, was elected the first left-wing president in Colombia’s history on Sunday, with 50.44% of the vote. His adversary, the businessman Rodolfo Hernandez, immediately recognized his defeat, paving the way for a peaceful alternation in this country governed for more than 200 years by the same conservative and liberal elites.
On the night of his election, Mr. Petro promised “real change” for his country, based on “peace, social justice and environmental justice” that leaves “hate and bigotry behind us”.
Mr. Petro’s camp celebrated the victory in a large performance hall in Bogota. Thousands of his supporters also gathered, in the rain and without incident, in a large square in the historic center.
The announcement of the accession of Francia Marquez, Mr. Petro’s running mate, to the vice-presidency, the first Afro-descendant to hold this position, was greeted with jubilation in her home town of Suarez, in the department of Cauca (southwest), noted AFP.
Photo VANNESSA JIMENEZ, REUTERS
The outgoing conservative president of Colombia, Ivan Duque
More generally, it was welcomed in all parts of the country where populations of African origin live (nearly 10% of the population).
“We are going to create the Ministry of Equality”, announced Monday afternoon Mme Tag on Twitter. “The goal is to create equal conditions for women, we are 52% and we had a lot of difficulties,” she explained.
“I come from a people and a region that has been historically forgotten. My task is to guarantee rights to these excluded and marginalized territories, to guarantee rights to Afro-descendant and indigenous populations,” added Ms.me Mark.
Monday, all the Colombian press headlined, like the daily The Spectatoron this “historic change”, insisting on the many “challenges” that await the new president, mainly to reunite around a “great national agreement” a deeply divided country.
Routed in the first round and in the doldrums, the traditional right, through the voice of its tutelary figure, ex-president Alvaro Uribe (2001-2010), also recorded the victory of Mr. Petro, suggesting that it would play its full role of opposition.
“To defend democracy, it is necessary to respect it. Gustavo Petro is the president. One single feeling should guide us: Colombia first,” Mr. Uribe tweeted.
“A difficult stage in national life is about to begin and we must prepare to face it with the tenacity necessary to defend our principles and our values”, also commented Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal, another figure in the camp of right.
Mr. Petro will officially take office on August 7.
One of his relatives, Senator Roy Barreras, declared that the presidential coalition of the “Historical Pact” would work on “building parliamentary majorities that will allow in-depth reforms to be carried out”.
The next government will soon send “clear signals” of its seriousness and responsibility, Barreras added, referring to the future ministerial cabinet.