Colombia Presidential Election: Left leader Gustavo Petro wins in Colombia's presidential election

In Colombia, leftist leader Gustavo Petro has won the presidential election in the country. According to results released by election officials, Petro got 50.48 percent of the vote in his third attempt as a presidential candidate, while his rival Rodolfo Hernandez got 47.26 percent.

The election comes at a time when Colombia is grappling with rising inequality, inflation and violence. Petro's victory in Latin America's third most populous country means more than Hernandez's defeat.

Petro's victory also shattered the perception of the Left's alleged involvement in the country's half-century armed struggle. The newly elected president was involved in the now dissolved 'M-19' movement and was pardoned after serving a prison sentence for involvement with the group.