The conservative stronghold of Latin America, Colombia, changed political course with the result that last Sunday, June 19, in the second round of the presidential elections, the voters broke the taboo of conservatism and gave the reins of power to a left-wing government. In this way, they gave the opportunity to millions of poor Colombians to gain a voice.
The new left-wing governor of Colombia, and former rebel left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro, won a comfortable victory with 50.5%, compared to 47.3% received by his populist opponent Rodolfo Fernandes. With equal political opportunities and the reduction of inequalities as his political flagship, Petros aspires to radically reform the most important sectors of the country’s economy and society.
Its policy platform envisages the expansion of social programs such as the provision of grants to unmarried mothers, free university education, an increase in food aid and pension reform. In addition, the policy agenda includes nature conservation and the fight against climate change as well as national reconciliation with full implementation of the agreement with the revolutionary FARC armed forces.
But his path is paved with thorns. It is a very difficult path as it inherits a society deeply divided into classes, races, regions and ethnicities, but also a country wounded by years of civil war. Violence and armed groups continue to operate unhindered, mainly in rural areas, fueling drug trafficking, human trafficking and other illegal activities.
Control of Congress is crucial for the implementation or not of its policies, and given that it will need significant support from it. Controlling or consensual Congress in implementing its policies seems like a very difficult task. Most likely, he will be forced to deal with various political leaders who represent conflicting interests with Petro’s policies. In this case, he will have to “disengage” the implementation of some of his policies in order to implement some of his other policies.
Petro has already approached various political leaders. Policies such as his commitment to raise taxes on wealthy businessmen, his intention to scrap oil and coal mining, but also his radical proposals such as declaring a state of economic emergency to fight hunger, are likely to prevent who believe that these policies will destroy the economy and hurt democratic institutions.
But all of Latin America has its eyes fixed on Colombia, and to what extent will Petro succeed in implementing policies to reform the country. No one wants to see a similar story between Venezuela and Hugo Chavez repeated in Colombia.
