Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, born April 19, 1960, in Ciénaga de Oro, Colombia, is a Colombian politician and economist who has been serving as the president of Colombia since August 7, 2022. He is the country’s first left-wing president. Petro began his political involvement as a member of the Marxist guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (M-19) in his youth but later transitioned into formal politics following the group's demobilization and transformation into a political party. Petro’s political career includes terms as a member of the Colombian House of Representatives (1991–1994, 1998–2006) and as a senator (2006–2010, 2018–2022). He was mayor of Bogotá from 2012 to 2015, where he focused on social programs targeting poverty reduction, environmental protection, and public safety, including banning firearms in the city to reduce violence. His tenure as mayor was contentious; he was briefly removed from office in 2013 over management issues but was reinstated after public protests and legal challenges. Petro ran unsuccessfully for president in 2010 and 2018 before winning the 2022 election as the candidate of the leftist coalition Historic Pact for Colombia. His 2022 campaign emphasized climate change action, including ending fossil fuel exploration, social justice reforms, and peace-building initiatives aimed at addressing Colombia’s longstanding internal conflicts. His administration focuses on reducing inequality, reforming healthcare and pensions, promoting sustainable economic development, and pursuing comprehensive peace through dialogue with armed groups. Petro’s vice president, Francia Márquez, is the first Black woman to hold that office in Colombia. Since taking office, Petro has faced political challenges in Congress and from conservative sectors but remains a pivotal figure in Colombia’s political landscape, seeking to transform the country’s social and economic policies[1][2][4][5][6][8][9].