Leftist candidate Gustavo Petro won the first round in the Colombia presidential elections with 40,3% of the votes. Populist businessman Rodolfo Hernández, former mayor of Bucaramanga had 28,2%.

The anti-establishment candidate has promised to make significant adjustments to the economy, including tax reform. Colombian society voted for change, participation was 70%.

Election Day took place peacefully for the most part across the country. 

A Petro win would add to a series of leftist political victories in Latin America as people seek change at a time of dissatisfaction with the economic situation.

Chile, Peru and Honduras elected leftist presidents in 2021, and in Brazil, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is leading the polls for this year’s presidential election. Mexico elected a leftist president in 2018.