Both historic pact candidates won the presidency and vice presidency of the South American nation on Sunday, in a trajectory aimed at ending more than four centuries of political and social exclusion.
Petro and Márquez won more than 11 million votes for 50.44 percent against Colombian right-wingers Rodolfo Hernández and Marelen Castillo, who were defeated by 10.5 million for 47.31 percent.
“The historic pact’s victory in the second round of elections held in the sister nation represents a step forward in the path of peace and justice that Colombians deserve,” said the national leadership of the Puerto Rican organization.
The MINH made particular reference to the historically marginalized sectors in Colombia: workers, farmers, women, the LGBTQ community, Afro-descendants, indigenous peoples and environmentalists, among others.
The Puerto Rican faction considered that the actions of the Colombian people in the elections in this second round rejected those who tried to give continuity to the policy favoring the privileged sectors and denied essential rights to the vast majority of the country.
“These policies have created great social inequalities while repression has been practiced against the people who have exercised their right to protest,” the MINH said, wishing Petro and Márquez every success in the major challenges they face.
Among the challenges of the left binomial stands out the fight against inequality and poverty in a country rich in resources but with large sections of the population impoverished by the imposed economic system.
“They also face the consolidation of peace in a society where violence has reigned for too long,” the MINH said in written statements obtained by Prensa Latina in San Juan.
“The National Directorate and the militancy of the MINH are pleased to see the increase in the number of Latin American and Caribbean nations that are opting for progressive political alternatives and responding to the interests and needs of the population,” he stressed.
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