Gustavo Petro President of Colombia from August 7, 2022 Date of Birth: 19.04.1960 Country: Colombia

Content:

1. Early Life and Activism
2. Arrest and Imprisonment
3. Disarmament and Political Transition
4. Education and Public Service
5. Congressional Career
6. Senator and Presidential Candidate
7. Mayor of Bogota
8. Presidential Candidate and Election
9. Personal Life

Early Life and Activism

Gustavo Petro: From Rebel to President

Gustavo Petro was born on April 19, 1960, in Cienaga de Oro, Colombia. At the age of 17, he joined the left-wing guerilla group M-19, which emerged in protest against electoral fraud. Petro rose through the ranks, becoming one of its leaders and serving as ombudsman of Sipacira.

Arrest and Imprisonment

In 1985, Petro was arrested for illegal possession of weapons and sentenced to 18 months in prison. While incarcerated, M-19 carried out an attack on the Palace of Justice in Bogota, killing over 98 people. Petro denies any involvement.

Disarmament and Political Transition

Upon his release in 1987, Petro recognized the limitations of armed revolution. Two years later, M-19 entered peace negotiations with the Colombian government. After an amnesty, Petro helped found the Democratic Alliance M-19 (AD M-19) political party.

Education and Public Service

Petro studied economics at the Externado University of Colombia and later pursued public administration at the Higher School of Public Administration. He also earned a master's degree in economics from the Pontifical Xavierian University. He continued his studies abroad at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and the University of Salamanca in Spain.

Congressional Career

Petro served as an advisor to the governor of Cundinamarca from 1990 to 1991. He was a member of the Colombian House of Representatives from 1991 to 1994 and 1998 to 2006. In 1994, he served as First Secretary of the Colombian Embassy in Belgium.

In 2002, Petro was elected to Congress representing Bogota for the Vía Alterna political movement, which he founded with fellow former M-19 members. He was named "Best Congressman" by his peers.

Senator and Presidential Candidate

In 2006, Petro became a Senator on behalf of the Alternative Democratic Pole. He ran for President in 2010, receiving 9% of the vote and finishing fourth. In 2011, he left the Alternative Democratic Pole due to disagreements and created his own Progressive Movement.

Mayor of Bogota

In 2012, Petro was elected Mayor of Bogota, serving from 2012 to 2015. He reduced murder rates to a two-decade low by banning weapons, implemented drug rehabilitation programs, and addressed climate change. However, his plans for a metro system were later scrapped.

Presidential Candidate and Election

Petro ran for President in 2018, losing to Ivan Duque in the second round. In 2022, he presented himself as the candidate of the Historical Pact for Colombia coalition. He won the presidential election in the second round, becoming Colombia's first left-leaning President.

Personal Life

Petro has five children: Nicolas, Andres, Andrea, Antonella, and Nicolas (step-son). He is married to Veronica Alcocer.

Colombia

Gustavo Petro