Colombia’s leftist president presents ambitious tax plan
(AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (Fernando Vergara)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Colombia’s first leftist president presented an ambitious tax plan on Monday that aims to raise up to $11 billion a year for anti-poverty programs. Less than 24 hours after taking his presidential oath, the new president presented a tax reform plan to his nation’ s congress that will increase income taxes on wealthy individuals and place a 10% levy on oil exports. Last year, an effort by conservative President Iván Duque to raise income taxes and some sales taxes sparked massive protests in which more than 50 people were killed. Petro’s incoming finance minister said the new tax reform plan will only attempt to raise income taxes on the wealthiest 2% of individuals. Colombia’s congress will now have to debate Petro’s proposed plan, which is expected to affect several areas of the economy.
wftv.comEx-rebel takes oath as Colombia president in historic shift
Colombia New President Supporters of new President Gustavo Petro display a painting of him with new Vice-President Francia Marquez as they wait for their swearing-in ceremony at the Bolivar square in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (Ariana Cubillos)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday, promising to fight inequality and heralding a turning point in the history of a country haunted by a long war between the government and guerrilla groups. Petro, 62, has promised to tackle Colombia's social and economic inequalities by boosting spending on anti-poverty programs and increasing investment in rural areas. The risk Petro faces is that he goes after too many reforms at once and gets nothing” through Colombia’s congress. That’s a big change for Colombia where previous presidential inaugurations were more somber events limited to a few hundred VIP guests.
wftv.comEx-rebel taking oath as Colombia president in historic shift
Colombia New President Supporters of new President Gustavo Petro display a flag as they wait for his swearing-in ceremony at the Bolivar square in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (Ariana Cubillos)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Colombia’s first leftist president will be sworn into office Sunday, promising to fight inequality and heralding a turning point in the history of a country haunted by a long war between the government and guerrilla groups. Petro, 62, has promised to tackle Colombia's social and economic inequalities by boosting spending on anti-poverty programs and increasing investment in rural areas. The risk Petro faces is that he goes after too many reforms at once and gets nothing” through Colombia’s congress. That’s a big change for Colombia where previous presidential inaugurations were more somber events limited to a few hundred VIP guests.
wftv.comEx-rebel sworn in as Colombia’s president in historic shift
Colombia Petro Colombia's President-elect Gustavo Petro speaks to students at Externado University in Bogota, Colombia, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Petro gave a talk to students at his alma mater where he studied economics, ahead of his Aug. 7 inauguration. Petro, 62, has promised to tackle Colombia's social and economic inequalities by boosting spending on anti-poverty programs and increasing investment in rural areas. The risk Petro faces is that he goes after too many reforms at once and gets nothing” through Colombia’s congress. That’s a big change for Colombia where previous presidential inaugurations were more somber events limited to a few hundred VIP guests.
wftv.comUS study says cocaine production remains high in Colombia
BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Cocaine production in Colombia remained near record levels in 2021, according to estimates released on Thursday by the White House, raising the stakes for bilateral cooperation between the United States and Colombia's next administration. The figures for cocaine production are slightly lower than in 2020, when the nation produced 994 tons of cocaine and planted 245,000 hectares of coca, according to the White House’s annual study. But cocaine production is still significantly higher than ten years ago, when Colombia produced an estimated 273 tons of the drug. In its statement, the White House also noted that cocaine production remains high in Peru and Bolivia, which are the world’s second and third largest producers of the drug. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24,500 people in the United States died in 2021 from cocaine overdoses, while fentanyl overdoses killed 71,000 people.
wftv.comUS study says cocaine production remains high in Colombia
Cocaine production in Colombia remained near record levels in 2021, according to estimates released by the White House, raising the stakes for bilateral cooperation between the United States and Colombia’s next administration
washingtonpost.comAfro-Colombian politician tapped as ambassador to Washington
Colombia US Ambassador FILE - Luis Gilberto Murillo gives a press conference to announce he is the running mate of presidential candidate Sergio Fajardo in Bogota, Colombia, March 17, 2022. Colombia's President-elect Gustavo Petro appointed Murillo as the country's new ambassador to the United States, on July 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File) (Fernando Vergara)WASHINGTON — (AP) — A veteran Afro-Colombian politician who studied in the Soviet Union and fled his homeland after being kidnapped by a paramilitary group has been tapped to become Colombia's first Black ambassador to the United States. But as ambassador for Colombia's first leftist government, he'll need more than deep connections to stabilize a bilateral relationship in what some fear could be a rocky transition. In 2000, Murillo was kidnapped by paramilitary groups and later fled to Washington with his family.
wftv.com4 killed when stands collapse during Colombian bullfight
BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Part of the wooden stands collapsed during a bullfight in central Colombia Sunday, sending spectators plunging to the ground and killing at least four people and seriously injuring about 30, authorities said. The disaster took place in a stadium in the city of El Espinal in Tolima state during a traditional event called “corraleja” in which members of the public enter the ring to engage the bulls. Videos taken during the bullfight show a three-story section of the stands collapsing as people screamed. “We have activated the hospital network in Tolima,” Tolima Gov. “We lament the terrible tragedy registered in El Espinal, Tolima, during the festivals of San Pedro and San Juan, with the collapse of the stands during a corraleja.
wftv.comStands collapse at a Colombia bullfight, with deaths and major injuries
ArrowRight The tragedy took place in El Espinal, a small town located some 95 miles from Bogotá. Otherwise we’d be talking about a much bigger tragedy,” Ortiz told The Washington Post. The bullring is erected for a spectacle that was originated on the Caribbean coast when Colombia was a Spanish colony. Over 500 people died and more than 2,000 were wounded when the makeshift stands there collapsed. Having witnessed the afternoon’s deaths and injuries first hand, Ortiz is predicting, “I think this is the end for corralejas in El Espinal.”GiftOutline Gift Article
washingtonpost.comNew Colombian president pledges to protect rainforest
Colombia President Amazon Rainforest FILE - Local residents navigate the Amazon River near Leticia, Colombia, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File) (Fernando Vergara)RIO DE JANEIRO — (AP) — Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first elected leftist president, will take office in August with ambitious proposals to halt the record-high rates of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. In 2021, the Colombian Amazon lost 98000 hectares (more than 240,000 acres) of pristine forest to deforestation and another 9,000 hectares (22,000 acres) to fire. Fifteen percent of the Colombian Amazon has already been deforested, according to Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, or FCDS. In 2020, under the Paris Agreement, Colombian President Ivan Duque's government committed to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030.
wftv.comColombia: president-elect looks to build governing coalition
Colombia Election Former rebel Gustavo Petro and his running mate Francia Marquez, celebrate before supporters after winning a runoff presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (Fernando Vergara)BOGOTÁ, Colombia — (AP) — President-elect Gustavo Petro, who has vowed to lift up Colombia’s poor and disenfranchised, has won the support of an influential party of the establishment as he tries to build a majority coalition in Congress. Petro won the second round on Sunday in a blow to political traditionalists who have presided for generations over Colombia, through violence and corruption, as well as economic growth and institutional stability. Details still have to be worked out regarding the Liberal’s Party role in a governing coalition and how it can collaborate with 62-year-old Petro’s camp, he said. A coalition including the Liberals and other allies would bring it closer to a parliamentary majority.
wftv.comLeftist's election to test Colombia's alliance with US
APTOPIX Colombia Election Gustavo Petro, presidential candidate with the Historical Pact coalition, shows his ballot before voting in a presidential runoff in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. But Gustavo Petro’s election as Colombia’s first leftist president is likely to test the U.S.’ special relationship with a major non-NATO ally like never before. Every year, under special presidential order, Colombia extradites dozens of drug traffickers charged in the U.S. Instead, he would favor expanding crop substitution programs that provide credit, training and land rights to rural farmers. That in part reflects what, until recently, had been the limited prospects for the left in the socially conservative country.
wftv.comColombian voters elect country's first Black vice president
(AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (Fernando Vergara)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — As Colombia's voters put aside a longtime antipathy to leftists and chose one as their new president, they also carved out another milestone — electing the country's first Black vice president. The politician has faced numerous death threats for her environmental work and has emerged as a powerful spokeswoman for Black Colombians and other marginalized communities. Most politicians in Colombia who have held the presidency have not lived in the way she has,” Sanchez said. Marquez said Sunday that part of her mission as vice president will be to reduce inequality. They said her presence on Petro's ticket also motivated Afro-Colombian voters along the Pacific coast, where Petro won by big margins Sunday even as he barely won the contest by three percentage points.
wftv.comPetro faces challenges to deliver Colombians promised change
Colombia Election Gustavo Petro, presidential candidate with the Historical Pact coalition, waves upon his arrival to vote in a presidential runoff in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. 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. Abstentionism has been above 40% in every presidential election since 1990. While her election is historic, some see her as a potential obstacle for Petro for her unwillingness to make concessions to traditional parties. Sergio Guzmán, founder of the firm Colombia Risk Analysis, said Petro must show an openness to sharing cabinet positions with other parties.
wftv.comColombia picks 1st leftist president in tight runoff contest
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.
Ex-rebel wins runoff to be Colombia's 1st leftist president
APTOPIX Colombia Election Former rebel Gustavo Petro, left, his wife Veronica Alcocer, back center, and his running mate Francia Marquez, celebrate before supporters after winning a runoff presidential election night in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Let them celebrate the first popular victory,” Petro tweeted. “I sincerely hope that this decision is beneficial for everyone.”Colombia also elected its first Black woman to be vice president. 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. Abstentionism has been above 40% in every presidential election since 1990.
wftv.comEx-rebel in slim win to be Colombia's1st leftist president
Colombia Election Supporters of presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, with the Historical Pact coalition, celebrate after his candidate won a presidential runoff in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Petro’s showing was the latest leftist political victory in Latin America fueled by voters’ desire for change. 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. Abstentionism has been above 40% in every presidential election since 1990. Hernández, who made his money in real estate, is not affiliated with any major political party and rejected alliances.
wftv.comSlim win makes ex-rebel Colombia's first leftist president
Colombia Election Supporters of presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, with the Historical Pact coalition, celebrate at his election night headquarters in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. About 39 million people were eligible to vote Sunday, but abstentionism has been above 40% in every presidential election since 1990. He obtained 40% of the votes during last month’s election and Hernández 28%, but the difference quickly narrowed as Hernández began to attract so-called anti-Petrista voters. Petro's showing was the latest leftist political victory in Latin America fueled by voters’ desire for change. 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.
wftv.comEx-rebel holds slim lead in Colombia's presidential runoff
APTOPIX Colombia Election Gustavo Petro, presidential candidate with the Historical Pact coalition, shows his ballot before voting in a presidential runoff in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. 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. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Former rebel Gustavo Petro held a slim lead over unpredictable millionaire Rodolfo Hernández in early returns from a presidential runoff that promises to reshape Colombia after a first round election punished the established political class. About 39 million people were eligible to vote Sunday, but abstentionism has been above 40% in every presidential election since 1990. 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.
wftv.comEx-Colombia rebel has slim edge millionaire over in election
APTOPIX Colombia Election Gustavo Petro, presidential candidate with the Historical Pact coalition, shows his ballot before voting in a presidential runoff in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Petro had 50.29% of the votes, while Hernández had 47.48% with nearly two-thirds of the votes counted, according to preliminary results released by election authorities. About 39 million people were eligible to vote Sunday, but abstentionism has been above 40% in every presidential election since 1990. 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. Petro had questioned election authorities during the campaign and said he would analyze after polls closed whether he accepts the results.
wftv.comColombia faces presidential choice between leftist, populist
Colombia Election FILES - This combination of photos shows Colombian presidential candidates: Gustavo Petro, left, on June 17, 2018; and Rodolfo Hernandez, on June 2, 2022, in Bogota, Colombia. (AP Photos/Martin Mejia, Fernando Vergara, Files) (Martin Mejia)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Colombians can count on one thing: The country’s presidential politics will drastically change after Sunday’s runoff election. 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. Petro has promised to make significant adjustments to the economy, including tax reform, and to change how Colombia fights drug cartels and other armed groups. The dispute ended before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which in 2020 declared Colombia responsible for violations of Petro’s political rights.
wftv.comPopulist millionaire faces ex-rebel for Colombia presidency
Colombia Elections Rodolfo Hernandez, presidential candidate with the Anti-corruption Governors League, leaves a polling station after voting in presidential elections in Bucaramanga, Colombia, Sunday, May 29, 2022. Hernandez is a self-made millionaire who got rich in real estate after growing up on a small farm. Some in Colombia compare him to former U.S. President Donald Trump and describe him as a right-wing populist. “The success of Hernandez and Petro is a harsh rebuke to the ruling class” said Sergio Guzman, director of the Colombia Risk Analysis consulting firm. As a presidential candidate Hernandez has promised the opposite, saying he will cut government excesses, starting with a plan to turn the nation’s presidential palace into a museum.
wftv.comEx-rebel, businessman to vie in Colombia presidential runoff
Colombia Elections Presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, with the Historical Pact coalition, gives a thumbs up to supporters on election night in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 29, 2022. There has been a series of leftist political victories in Latin America, where voters have been dissatisfied with the economic situation. Mexico elected a leftist president in 2018. He also promises to change how Colombia fights drug cartels that produce around 90% of cocaine currently sold in the U.S. This was the second presidential election held since the government signed in 2016 a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC for its initials in Spanish.
wftv.comEx-rebel, businessman to vie in Colombia presidential runoff
Colombia Elections Presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, with the Historical Pact coalition, gives a thumbs up to supporters on election night in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 29, 2022. There has been 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. This was the second presidential election held since the government signed in 2016 a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC for its initials in Spanish.
wftv.comColombia presidential contest likely headed to June runoff
Colombia Elections Election workers count ballots at a closed polling station on the day of presidential elections in Medellin, Colombia, Sunday, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Jaime Saldarriaga) (Jaime Saldarriaga)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — The early vote count in Sunday’s six-way presidential election in Colombia pointed toward a runoff in June, with leftist former rebel Gustavo Petro leading in a ballot held amid growing discontent over increasing inequality and inflation. This was the second presidential election held since the government signed in 2016 a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC for its initials in Spanish. This is the second presidential election in Colombia — Latin America's third most populous country — since the government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. It is Petro's third attempt to be the South America’s country president.
wftv.comColombians choose a new president amid general discontent
Colombia Elections Gustavo Petro, presidential candidate with the Historical Pact coalition, leaves a polling station after voting during presidential elections in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 29, 2022. Former rebel Gustavo Petro, who has been leading in polls , could become Colombia's first leftist president. Mexico elected a leftist president in 2018. It is Petro's third attempt to be the South America’s country president. In addition to economic challenges, Colombia’s next president will also have to face a complex security issue and corruption, which is a top concern of voters.
wftv.comColombians to vote for president amid generalized discontent
The latest opinion polls suggest Petro, a former rebel, could get 40% of the votes, with a 15-point lead over his closest rival. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File) (Fernando Vergara)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Colombians emerging from the coronavirus pandemic are voting vote for their next president Sunday, choosing from six candidates who all promise various degrees of change amid rising inequality, inflation, violence and a discontent with the status quo. The ballot includes former rebel Gustavo Petro, who has been leading in polls and could become Colombia's first leftist president. It is Petro's third attempt to be the South America’s country president. In addition to economic challenges, Colombia’s next president will also have to face a complex security issue and corruption, which is a top concern of voters.
wftv.comColombian candidate says he won't nationalize property
Colombian presidential frontrunner Gustavo Petro pledged that he will not nationalize private property if he wins the nation’s presidency this year as critics in the South American country accuse the leftist candidate of wanting to make radical changes to the country’s free market economy.