The Latest Breaking News from Colombia

Colombia's new President, Gustavo Petro, was once a member of M-19 — a wild rebel group that stole the Sword of Simon Bolivar and is rumoured to have worked with and against Pablo Escobar.

The latest in Latin American politics today:

When Colombians elected their first leftist president ever on Sunday, they also elected the country’s first Black vice president: Francia Marquez, a single mother who worked as a maid before challenging international mining interests as a fiery environmentalist. Her victory marks a turning point in a country plagued by social…

Former guerrilla fighter beat populist business tycoon Rodolfo Hernández in runoff yesterday. Plus, Kyiv residents take steps towards normality

Francia Marquez will also become the country’s first black woman vice-president

The third time was the charm for Gustavo Petro, the leftist firebrand, former guerrilla and newly elected Colombian president who credits his political awakening to seeing his father weep over the death of revolutionary Che Guevara.

The election of Colombia's first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, is indicative of widespread yearning for a more equal and inclusive society, analysts and business leaders said, but the former guerrilla will need to act fast to reassure investors.

Colombia will be governed by a leftist president for the first time after former rebel Gustavo Petro narrowly defeated a real estate millionaire in a runoff election that underscored people’s disgust with the country’s traditional politicians

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Colombia on holding a free and fair election and said he was looking forward to working with leftist Gustavo Petro, who has vowed profound social and economic change, on winning the presidency.