Latin American leftist leaders hail Petro victory in Colombia

Latin American leftist leaders hail Petro victory in Colombia

Supporters of Colombia's president-elect Gustavo Petro celebrate his election victory
Supporters of Colombia's president-elect Gustavo Petro celebrate his election victory. Photo: Paola MAFLA / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!

Gustavo Petro's election on Sunday as the first left-wing president in Colombia's history sparked joy among fellow Latin American leaders with similar ideologies.

It also continued a trend in recent years that has seen many countries in the region swing to the left, although some would argue those are populist moves as much as ideological ones.

Argentina, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Bolivia and Honduras have all moved to the left in their last elections and Petro's victory sparked a feeling of fraternity amongst these leaders.

"Your victory validates democracy and ensures the path towards an integrated Latin America in this time when we demand maximum solidarity amongst brother peoples," said Argentina President Alberto Fernandez on Twitter.

Chile President Gabriel Boric, who was elected earlier this year to replace conservative Sebastian Pinera, said Petro's victory was a "joy for Latin America."

Read also

Gustavo Petro, from imprisoned guerilla to Colombia's first leftist leader

"We will work together for the unity of our continent in the challenges of a world changing rapidly," he tweeted.

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!

Peru's Pedro Castillo, a rural school teacher and trade unionist, said he looked forward to working with an ally, something that has been in short supply in his homeland where the right-wing opposition dominates congress.

"We are united by a common feeling that seeks improved collective, social and regional integration for our peoples," he said.

"Latin American integration is strengthened," added Bolivia's Luis Arce.

Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador feels Gustavo Petro's election victory can help heal the wounds of a country that has suffered decades of armed conflict
Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador feels Gustavo Petro's election victory can help heal the wounds of a country that has suffered decades of armed conflict. Photo: PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Source: AFP

Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Petro's success could heal the wounds in a country in which political assassinations are not uncommon.

He referenced the 10-year Colombian civil war that broke out following the 1948 assassination of leftist presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan and was the precursor to the six-decade long conflict between the state and left-wing guerrillas.

Read also

What next for Macron after election humbling?

"Today's triumph can be the end of this curse and the awakening for this brotherly and dignified people," said Lopez Obrador.

Maduro praises victory for 'democracy and peace'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has a fraught relationship with outgoing conservative Colombian President Ivan Duque, was jubilant.

"The will of the Colombian people has been heard, it went out to defend the path to democracy and peace," said Maduro, who has been branded a dictator by the opposition in his own country.

Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Colombia in 2019 after Duque backed attempts by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who claims to be the country's acting leader, to oust Maduro.

Henrique Capriles, another Venezuelan opposition figure, was more interested in the lot of the estimated two million migrants that fled economic and political crises in his country to Colombia.

"We hope the new President will govern with respect and without excluding them," he said on Twitter.

Read also

Tunisian protesters decry constitutional reform plans, judicial purge

Miguel Diaz-Canel, the president of Cuba, which like Venezuela is subject to international sanctions and isolation, spoke of his hope for "advancing the development of bilateral relations for the wellbeing of our peoples."

The United States -- which riled many Latin American leaders by not inviting the authoritarian heads of Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela to the recent Summit of the Americas -- sent congratulations to "the people of Colombia for making their voices heard in a free and fair presidential election."

"We look forward to working with President-Elect Petro to further strengthen the U.S.-Colombia relationship and move our nations toward a better future," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement.

Ecuador's conservative President Guillermo Lasso said he congratulated Gustavo Petro by telephone
Ecuador's conservative President Guillermo Lasso said he congratulated Gustavo Petro by telephone. Photo: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP
Source: AFP

There were also warm regards from one of the few remaining conservative leaders in South America, neighboring Ecuador's Guillermo Lasso, who last year beat the leftist Andres Arauz in a rare recent success for the right.

He said he spoke to Petro by telephone and "reiterated the availability of our government to strengthen friendship and cooperation, prioritizing development and the integration of our peoples."

PAY ATTENTION: check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.