Julia Symmes Cobb

FUSAGASUGA (Colombo) – Gustavo Petro, a Colombian leftist, leads the race to become the nation’s president. He has inspired his supporters by imagining a better, more fair, and greener country.

The promises of revolution from the M-19 rebel are less appealing to those looking for a break with Colombia’s established political system. Rodolfo, a septuagenarian who is independent and anti-establishment but has led a populist campaign in Colombia as an independent candidate, will challenge Petro.

Petro took 40.3% and Hernandez 28.2% of Sunday’s votes. Following him was centre-righter Federico “Fico” Gutierrez who took 23.9% of the votes and was widely expected to be Petro’s rival in round two.

Hernandez, who is known for bizarre TikTok videos, has said he will strengthen law enforcement and create employment, but details are sparse.

Petro, a former mayor of Bogota at the age of 62, has entered his third attempt for the presidency. He is focusing on reforms that he believes will correct decades of social inequality.

Petro said that the murderer, the thief, is now in power. He spoke at a Fusagasuga rally earlier in the month.

Petro had focused much of his rhetoric on the need for change. Gutierrez, according to Petro, was cast as representing the same political interests that the current President Ivan Duque (unpopular) and his mentor Alvaro Uribe (political heavyweight).

Petro declared, “What should we fear? Not changing the country.”

However, Hernandez, the ex-mayor of Bucaramanga and his anti-establishment rhetoric, along with his promise of ending privileges for officials, will derail Petro’s narrative. This is especially considering Gutierrez and the many supporters of Hernandez.

Which candidate did Colombia’s president win in the first round? https://graphics.reuters.com/COLOMBIA-ELECTION/zgvomeykjvd/chart.png

Daniela Cuellar (NYSE:), senior consultant, FTI Consulting in Bogota said that “this is the scenario Petro feared most.”

Petro’s rhetoric is most effective when he portrays himself as a leader against an elite candidate. When he has to face another candidate, from the outside circles of power that promises change, his dialectic oratory can become stale.

Petro may try to stress that Hernandez calls for corruption to be stopped, but Sergio Guzman founder of Colombia Risk Analysis said Petro himself is being investigated.

Hernandez was investigated by the Attorney General’s Office for intervening in a tender to collect trash when he served as mayor. This happened at the expense of a company Hernandez had lobbyed for.

Guzman said that it may work for centrists, however, their votes are very small. He was speaking about the low poll scores of three other candidates, who combined received less than 6 percent. Fico voters and Uribe supporter would vote for Petro before voting for Petro.”

Guzman stated that Petro has only three weeks to change his campaign narrative. He is not likely to succeed.

STOP GOING WITH THE OLD

Petro supporters of all ages stated to Reuters that they believed he was the best candidate for the Andean. This included his policies on the environment, including a ban against new oil contracts and the promise to offer public universities free education.

Santiago Castillo (20 years old), a social science student, stated that free tuition could make a huge difference in his life.

Castillo who works as a waiter said, “It is really difficult to access education because it’s not possible for us to make ends meets.” We know that we will not need to stop sleeping or kill ourselves with him.

Olgia was seen waving the large Petro flag as she came along with her grandson.

She said, “We have had the same vision for many years. Not four years, but forty years.”

Hernandez supporters however, claimed it was Hernandez, the civil engineer. He said he made a fortune with his construction business, and despite having humble beginnings, that he best understood the Colombians’ desire for change.

Gloria Gracia, 61-year-old physical education teacher and dancer, told Reuters she voted Hernandez despite his errors and hopes he can reduce corruption. Gloria added that Hernandez financed the campaign herself and believes in rural communities.

Hernandez’s farmer father had been held by FARC guerrillas for many months in the past. Meanwhile, his daughter Juliana was taken by the National Liberation Army rebels in 2004. It is believed that Juliana died in captivity.

Hernandez, like Petro said he would implement a peace agreement with FARC rebels in 2016 and pursue peace negotiations with the ELN.