Populist or leftist? Colombian Americans vote in high-stakes presidential election
Colombian Americans are voting in Colombia's presidential election between populist outsider Rodolfo Hernandez and leftist Gustavo Petro with many favoring Hernández.
MIAMI — Colombia is headed for a presidential runoff election Sunday between two nonestablishment candidates, and politicians in Florida, home to the largest population of expats in the U.S., are taking note.
The choice is between Gustavo Petro, a leftist and former guerrilla who has promised profound economic and social change, and Rodolfo Hernández, a millionaire businessman and political outsider that has vowed to drastically cut budgets and fight corruption.
Petro, 62, a longtime senator and former mayor of the capital, Bogotá, is on his third attempt to become president. He was once a rebel with the former M-19 movement and was jailed for his involvement with the group. Petro would be the country’s first left-wing president if he wins. He has tried to reassure voters that he wouldn't take the path of leftist leaders in other countries, stressing he wouldn't take private property or change voting laws to stay in power.
Hernández, 77, who made his fortune in real estate is not affiliated with any major political party, and shocked many when he finished second in the first-round contest. His debut in politics came in 2015 when he became mayor of the north-central city of Bucaramanga. He once punched a councilman who offended him and he is campaigning with a “drain the swamp” message.
He's drawn controversy for a 2016 remark that he was a "follower" of Hitler, though he later said he was referring to Albert Einstein.
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