Iran Congratulates Petro on Winning Colombia’s Presidency
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian congratulated the people of Colombia on voting in the presidential election in a democratic process and Gustavo Petro on his election victory.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in greeting and congratulating the people of Colombia for participating in the presidential elections in a free and democratic environment, congratulates the victory of Mr. Gustavo Petro as President Elect and wishes success for him and the people of Colombia, on the path of development and well-being,” Amirabdollahian said in a post on his Twitter account on Wednesday.
Petro, a former rebel fighter who has promised profound social and economic change, emerged victorious in Sunday’s presidential runoff election to become Colombia’s first left-wing president.
He won 50.4 percent of the vote, while his rival Rodolfo Hernandez, a construction magnate, had 47.3 percent.
The win for Petro, a senator and a former mayor of Bogota, underlined a drastic change in presidential politics for a country that has long marginalized the left for its perceived association with the armed conflict. Petro himself was once a rebel with the now-defunct M-19 movement and was granted amnesty after being jailed for his involvement with the group.
In his victory speech, Petro, 62, issued a call for unity and extended an olive branch to some of his harshest critics, saying all members of the opposition will be welcomed at the presidential palace “to discuss the problems of Colombia”.
