Gustavo Petro assumes the presidency of Colombia

Bogota, August 7 (RHC)-- The president-elect of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, takes office this Sunday in the presence of illustrious personalities from around the world and about 100,000 Colombians in the Plaza de Bolivar, in downtown Bogota.  

A ceremony with high political, emotional and cultural content is being held, with special guests such as the street sweeper of Medellin, Kelly Garces, who was noticed in social networks during the election campaign for defending a photo of Petro in his garbage cart, despite the rejection of some people, including family members.

"As of today Colombia changes.  It is another.  It is not a change to take revenge or to create more hatred," Petro said in his first speech after being elected by more than 11 million citizens.  

His running mate, Francia Márquez, becomes the second woman and first Afro-American to occupy the vice-presidency of the South American country, with the difficult mission of "sowing a new and definitive opportunity for life and peace in Colombia" and giving a voice to the Black, indigenous, peasant and other peoples marginalized during a century of right-wing domination.