I will know more after speaking to a couple of Colombian friends but I would say this:
The Colombian peace process was slow-walked and obstructed and nearly killed off by the Conservatives. The Center-Left Liberal Party under Juan Manuel Santos had negotiated an agreement in 2016 that explicitly focused on rural social justice, land reform, indigenous rights and other minority issues and offered new programs and participation in exchange for the rebel FARC disarming. Petro is taking up the causes that have been blocked by Conservatives and that the Liberals have been unable to advance. Making progress with a fragmented electorate will be a challenge and Pero has a reputation for not staying on message very well. He also faces problems with Venezuela and may need to distance himself from some US policies including those focused on drug eradication.
His involvement with an urban guerrilla group in his youth should not cause concern; if anything it shows he had a social conscience. For decades he has been an active participant in democratic processes including serving as mayor of Bogota. Two clear positives: (1) unlike the situation in the US, his opponents congratulated him on his victory and a democratic transition appears to be going smoothly and (2) his Vice President is a Black woman with strong human rights and environmental credentials.
It will be interesting to see how this and the youthful left turn in Chile (and elsewhere) develop.
Bill, Thank you for your reply. I have to leave early this morning but will respond this evening. With the elections of leftists in Chile, Honduras and Peru may there be improvement in the lives of the people in Latin America -- that would be a turning point. Salud.
Hello Bill, I would appreciate learning what you think about Gustavo Petro becoming president of Columbia, if you are open to sharing it. Thank you.
I will know more after speaking to a couple of Colombian friends but I would say this:
The Colombian peace process was slow-walked and obstructed and nearly killed off by the Conservatives. The Center-Left Liberal Party under Juan Manuel Santos had negotiated an agreement in 2016 that explicitly focused on rural social justice, land reform, indigenous rights and other minority issues and offered new programs and participation in exchange for the rebel FARC disarming. Petro is taking up the causes that have been blocked by Conservatives and that the Liberals have been unable to advance. Making progress with a fragmented electorate will be a challenge and Pero has a reputation for not staying on message very well. He also faces problems with Venezuela and may need to distance himself from some US policies including those focused on drug eradication.
His involvement with an urban guerrilla group in his youth should not cause concern; if anything it shows he had a social conscience. For decades he has been an active participant in democratic processes including serving as mayor of Bogota. Two clear positives: (1) unlike the situation in the US, his opponents congratulated him on his victory and a democratic transition appears to be going smoothly and (2) his Vice President is a Black woman with strong human rights and environmental credentials.
It will be interesting to see how this and the youthful left turn in Chile (and elsewhere) develop.
Bill, Thank you for your reply. I have to leave early this morning but will respond this evening. With the elections of leftists in Chile, Honduras and Peru may there be improvement in the lives of the people in Latin America -- that would be a turning point. Salud.