Decades later, the left is back in power in Colombia today. A large popular party celebrated the inauguration of President Gustavo Petro and Vice President Francia Márquez. The economist and former guerrilla fighter assumes that it is a poor country with high unemployment, high interest rates, thousands of Venezuelan immigrants, and was shaken by violent public protests a few months ago.
With a long political trajectory and a controversial guerrilla history, Petro takes office at the age of 62, a hopeful Colombian with a positive outlook for the public. After running for the third time, the leftist was elected last June with more than 11 million votes. Petro needs to implement structural and ethical reforms, as promised in his presidential campaign, during his tenure, scheduled for 2026.
Colombia’s new president wants his inauguration to be “a big popular party”. The event starts at 10:00 local time (midday in Brasília), but the official ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 local time (5:00 in Brasília).
A strong security system has been established so that more than 100,000 people can attend the celebrations at Plaza Bolivar in Bogota, where Colombian artists and personalities will take the stage. The opening will be broadcast in 32 cities across the country.
Petro requested that the original sword of national hero Simón Bolívar be displayed during the event. The historical object, in an armored glass jar and under police surveillance, will be closely watched by Colombians. Interestingly, the same piece was played by M-19, a guerrilla group that Petro was a part of in the past.
Among the guests confirmed for the opening are King Felipe VI of Spain, President of Chile, Gabriel Boric of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso and Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic. Former president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, and ex-presidents of Bolivia Evo Morales and Uruguayan Pepe Mujica will also be present at the ceremony.
Cabinet still missing
Despite being both popular and having good room in the Colombian Senate and Chamber, Petro is struggling to assemble his team of ministers and his government will start short. Only eight names were announced for the 18 ministries.
José Antonio Ocampo, a prestigious economist, was chosen for his finance portfolio. The Department of Defense will be held by Iván Velásquez, who heads the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. Álvaro Leyva Durán, a conservative politician and recognized as one of the country’s renowned peace administrators, has been appointed to the Foreign Relations portfolio. The newly created Ministry of Equality will be headed by Vice President Francia Márquez, a lawyer and environmentalist.
Other shortcomings of the Petro government relate to administrative departments. The reasons for the delay in appointments stem from the alleged need for balance in the election among members of the Pacto Histórico coalition that supported Petro’s attainment of the presidency. In addition, several people invited by Petro refused to occupy the proposed positions.
The leftist met with President Iván Duque (2018 and 2022), for whom he took the wing this Sunday, days before he took power. Petro received a medal in the handover protocol. He also participated in an “inheritance” ceremony celebrated by indigenous people in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia.
Since his presidential campaign, the former guerrilla has expressed his desire to protect the nature of his native country. Therefore, he chose the scenic landscapes of the Caño Cristales River as his government’s image, thereby demonstrating his familiarity with remote and rural Colombian areas.
source: Noticias
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