21-06-2018: Latin American Weekly Report

Iván Duque will become Colombia’s 33rd president on 7 August. Duque defeated Gustavo Petro on 17 June in the second round of the country’s most polarised presidential elections, which was reflected in a record high turnout. In his victory speech, Duque placed the emphasis on his determination to lead an inclusive government and root out the entrenched corruption of the political elite. But his reform agenda will hinge on his ability to build consensus in a congress controlled by traditional centrist parties representing that elite. Petro will lead the opposition to Duque’s government from the senate and the street, especially if he seeks to roll back the peace accord with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc).