SERGIO FAJARDO

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.

A veteran Afro-Colombian politician who studied in the Soviet Union and fled his country after being kidnapped by a paramilitary group has been named Colombia’s next ambassador to the United States.

A leftist former rebel and a populist businessman have taken the top two spots among the six candidates in Colombia’s presidential election and are heading to a runoff showdown in June, delivering a blow to the country's political class.

A one-time rebel fighter has used an emotional anti-establishment discourse and promises to boost state involvement in the economy to garner a commanding lead in polls as Colombia heads into Sunday's presidential election.

Colombians may elect a leftist president for the first time in their history this year. Senator Gustavo Petro, who is calling for a new economic model and a shift away from oil and coal, has been leading in polls with more than double the support of any of his rivals, which has investors on edge. Elsewhere in the Andes, Chile and Peru elected leftist leaders in 2021. Presidential elections will be held May 29 and if no candidate reaches 50% plus one vote a run-off will occur three weeks later.

Three major candidates emerge to compete in the country's May presidential election.

Colombia Elections People cast their votes during legislative elections in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, March 13, 2022. Colombians went to the polls to renew Congress, and also to choose presidential candidates from three political coalitions whose outcome will be key for the next presidential election on May 29. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) (Ivan Valencia)BOGOTA, Colombia — (AP) — Colombians voted for a new congress Sunday and also cast ballots in presidential primaries to choose party candidates for the May presidential contest, as the country held its first elections since the coronavirus pandemic began two years ago. As opinion polls had indicated, leftist Sen. Gustavo Petro emerged as the current leader in the race for the presidency. The three will compete in Colombia's presidential election May 29 along with several other candidates picked previously by smaller parties.

Colombians have voted for a new congress and also cast ballots in presidential primaries to choose party candidates for the May presidential contest.

Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, who was held as a hostage for six years by Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, says she will be running for her country’s presidency