“Congratulations to the people of Colombia that their voices were heard in a free and fair presidential election.”

Congratulating Colombia on holding free and fair elections, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he counted on cooperation with the left’s first president, Gustavo Petro, who promised profound social and economic changes during the presidential campaign.

“We look forward to working with President-elect Petro to further strengthen the US-Colombia relationship and lead our nations to a better future,” the US diplomat said.

Left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro, former mayor of the capital of Bogota, ex-guerrilla fighter and now senator, has been elected the new president of Colombia in the second round of elections, defeating his rival, construction contractor Rodolfo Hernandez. Petro, he got 50.5 percent. Vote, Hernandez supported 47.3 percent.