Colombia is on the cusp of a new era as Gustavo Petro, a left-wing politician with a populist streak, prepares to take the reins as the country's president. His campaign, which drew parallels to the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement in the United States, has sparked concerns about the potential erosion of democratic norms and the rise of authoritarianism in the South American nation. As Petro's inauguration approaches, many are left wondering whether his promise to bring about a more just and equal society will be fulfilled, or if his administration will instead become a harbinger of increased repression and partisan violence. With Colombia's fragile democracy facing numerous challenges, the world is watching to see how Petro's presidency will shape the country's future.
He ran a MAGA-style campaign in a nation beset by partisan violence. Will he make Colombia freer or more authoritarian?
