Gustavo Petro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Gustavo Petro ODB ODSC OYC
Official portrait, 2022
35th President of Colombia
In office 7 August 2022 – 7 August 2026
Preceded by	Iván Duque
Succeeded by	Abelardo de la Espriella
President pro tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
In office 9 April 2025 – 21 March 2026
Preceded by	Xiomara Castro
Succeeded by	Yamandú Orsi
Senator of Colombia
In office 20 July 2018 – 20 July 2022
In office 20 July 2006 – 20 July 2010
Mayor of Bogotá
In office 23 April 2014 – 31 December 2015
Preceded by	María Mercedes Maldonado
Succeeded by	Enrique Peñalosa
In office 1 January 2012 – 19 March 2014
Preceded by	Clara López
Succeeded by	Rafael Pardo
Member of the Chamber of Representatives
In office 20 July 1998 – 20 July 2006
Constituency	Capital District
In office 1 December 1991 – 20 July 1994
Constituency	Cundinamarca
Personal details
Born	Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego (1960-04-19) 19 April 1960 (age 66) Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba, Colombia
Citizenship	Colombia Italy
Political party	Historic Pact (since 2025)
Spouses	Katia Burgos ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 1992)​ Mary Luz Herrán ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 2000)​ Verónica Alcocer ​ (m. 2000)​
Children	6, including Nicolás, Andrea, Sofía and Antonella
Education	Externado University of Colombia (BA)
Signature

Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego (born 19 April 1960) served as the president of Colombia from 2022 to 2026. He was the first left-wing leader in Colombia's recent history. He is also the founder and leader of the political party Historic Pact (PH).

When he was 17 years old, Petro joined a former guerrilla group called the 19th of April Movement (M-19), which later became a political party. He was arrested in 1985 for his connection to this group. After a peace agreement between the Colombian government and M-19, he was released. He was later elected to the Chamber of Representatives in 1991. In 2006, he was elected to the Colombian Senate.

Petro became the Mayor of Bogotá in 2011, focusing on social programs and environmental protection. He ran for president in 2018 but lost. He ran again in the 2022 Colombian presidential election and won, becoming president on 7 August 2022. During his presidency, he worked on progressive policies, including increasing the minimum wage and strengthening labor protections. He also focused on environmental issues and restoring diplomatic ties with Venezuela. His term ended on 7 August 2026, and he was succeeded by Abelardo de la Espriella.

Discovering Gustavo Petro's Early Life

Petro was born on 19 April 1960, in Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba, Colombia. His parents are Gustavo Petro Sierra and Clara Nubia Urrego. His family has roots in Colombia, and his father's side has some Italian heritage. His mother also has Italian ancestry, which means Petro has dual Colombian and Italian citizenship.

He grew up in the Catholic faith and was inspired by ideas of helping the poor. In the 1970s, his family moved to Zipaquirá, a town near Bogotá, seeking better opportunities.

Joining the M-19 Movement

Around the age of 17, Petro joined the 19th of April Movement (M-19). This group formed in 1974, aiming to change Colombia's political and economic system. He used the nickname Aureliano, from a famous novel.

During his time with M-19, Petro was elected as an ombudsman in Zipaquirá in 1981 and served as a councilman from 1984 to 1986. He helped lead efforts to provide housing for 400 poor families who had been forced from their homes. He also worked with Carlos Pizarro Leongómez, another M-19 leader, to push for peaceful political solutions to conflicts in Colombia.

In 1985, Petro was arrested by the army. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison. While in prison, he changed his mind about using armed resistance. He began to believe that peaceful political solutions were the best way to gain public support. In 1987, M-19 started peace talks with the government.

Gustavo Petro's Education Journey

Petro earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the Universidad Externado de Colombia in 1982. He also started graduate studies at the Escuela Superior de Administración Pública (ESAP). Later, he began a master's degree in economics at the Pontifical Xavierian University but did not complete it. He then studied Economy and Human Rights in Belgium and started a doctoral degree in public administration in Spain.

There were questions about some of his academic degrees. He explained that he had finished the coursework for a specialization and a master's degree but had not completed a final thesis or research paper to officially receive the degrees. For his doctoral studies, he completed the theoretical part but did not develop the full research required for the degree.

Gustavo Petro's Political Career

Early Steps in Politics

After the M-19 group disarmed, its former members, including Petro, formed a political party called the M-19 Democratic Alliance. In 1991, Petro was elected to the Chamber of Representatives for the department of Cundinamarca. In 1994, he met with Hugo Chávez, who later became the president of Venezuela, to discuss political ideas.

In 2002, Petro was again elected to the Chamber of Representatives, this time representing Bogotá. He was part of the Vía Alterna political movement, which he co-founded. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the "Best Congressmen." He helped form the Alternative Democratic Pole, a group of left-leaning politicians.

In 2006, Petro was elected to the Senate. He gained significant public attention by exposing connections between some politicians and illegal armed groups.

Challenging the Uribe Government

Senator Petro often disagreed with the government of President Álvaro Uribe. He spoke out against certain powerful individuals who were linked to illegal groups. He also had strong disagreements with President Uribe, especially regarding how the government handled peace processes with illegal groups. Petro presented information about connections between some officials and illegal groups, which led to public debates in Congress.

Facing Threats and Surveillance

Petro frequently reported threats against his life and his family. He also claimed that government security organizations illegally watched him and his family. In 2007, two army intelligence officers were caught spying on Petro. Later, he presented evidence that officials from the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) had ordered illegal surveillance of opposition politicians, including himself. He also received death threats from the paramilitary group Águilas Negras in 2020.

2010 Presidential Campaign

In 2008, Petro announced his interest in running for president in 2010. He proposed a "great national accord to end Colombia's war," focusing on cleaning up the justice system, land reform, and democratic socialism. In September 2009, he won the primary election to become the Alternative Democratic Pole candidate. In the presidential election on 30 May 2010, Petro finished fourth, receiving 9.1% of the total votes.

Leading Bogotá as Mayor (2012–2015)

On 30 October 2011, Gustavo Petro won the election to become the Mayor of Bogotá. He took office on 1 January 2012, becoming the first former guerrilla member to hold such an important position in Colombia. His "Bogotá Humana" movement focused on helping the poor, protecting the environment, and fighting corruption.

During his time as mayor, he introduced measures that helped reduce the crime rate in the city. Police interventions were carried out in certain areas to improve safety. His social policies helped reduce poverty, and infant mortality rates dropped. He also worked on environmental plans, like conserving wetlands and planting over 200,000 trees.

Petro modernized waste collection, helping waste pickers find new jobs or receive support. In June 2012, he banned bullfighting in the Santamaría Bullring, though this measure was later overturned by the Constitutional Court. He worked to reopen the San Juan de Dios Hospital, which had been closed for years. His administration also launched the Integrated Public Transport System (SITP) and provided subsidies for public transport fares for low-income residents. Petro proposed building a subway system for the city and contracted studies for its infrastructure.

Facing a Recall Effort

During his time as mayor, Petro faced efforts to remove him from office by opposition parties. He was temporarily removed from his position by the Inspector General due to disagreements over his waste collection system. This decision led to protests, with many people believing it was politically unfair. Despite this, he was reinstated as mayor on 23 April 2014 and completed his term.

2018 Presidential Campaign

In 2018, Gustavo Petro ran for president again. He advanced to the second round of voting. His campaign focused on supporting universal health care, public banking, investing in clean energy instead of fossil fuels, and land reform. He received support from other political figures like Antanas Mockus and Claudia López Hernández. In the second round, he lost to Iván Duque, who became president. Petro then returned to the Senate.

Serving as Senator of Colombia

He served as Senator of Colombia from 2018 until a new congress was inaugurated in 2022. During this time, he shared information about COVID-19 vaccines that was later clarified, and he urged Colombians to get vaccinated. He continued to receive death threats from the paramilitary group Águilas Negras.

A video surfaced showing him receiving money, which he explained was a loan for his campaign from 2005. He stated that the money was for his 2006 Senate campaign and that the investigation into this matter was later closed by the National Electoral Council.

2022 Presidential Campaign

In 2021, Petro announced his candidacy for the 2022 elections. He stated that he would retire from politics if his campaign was not successful. His campaign platform included promoting green energy, reducing economic inequality, and focusing on climate change. He also pledged to raise taxes on the wealthiest Colombians and establish a Ministry of Equality. He chose Francia Márquez, an Afro-Colombian human rights and environmental activist, as his running mate.

His program proposed agrarian reform to help peasant families gain access to land, stopping new oil exploration to shift towards clean energy, investing in public education, and reforming the health system. Petro and Francia Márquez faced numerous death threats during their campaign. They received support from foreign politicians like former Uruguayan president José Mujica.

Petro faced criticism that his economic plans were too extreme and compared to other countries. In response, he publicly pledged not to carry out any expropriation if elected. He acknowledged some positive aspects of former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez's policies but also criticized Venezuela's reliance on oil and its political direction.

In the first round of the election on 29 May, Petro received the most votes but not enough to win outright. He and Márquez advanced to a runoff election on 19 June against Rodolfo Hernández Suárez. In the second round, Petro and Márquez won the election with 50.44% of the popular vote.

Gustavo Petro's Presidency (2022–2026)

Petro was sworn in as president on 7 August 2022. Before his inauguration, he worked to build a majority in Congress by negotiating with centrist and right-wing political parties. He appointed a diverse cabinet, including Leonor Zalabata, the first indigenous person to be ambassador to the United Nations.

One of his first political achievements was the approval of the Escazú Agreement by the Senate, an important environmental protection treaty for Latin America. He also appointed a new military command, aiming to improve human rights and public freedoms. Colombia and Venezuela re-established diplomatic relations on 11 August 2022, after a three-year break. Petro also announced plans to restart peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas, and his "Total Peace" policy aimed to reduce violence.

Cabinet Members and Changes

Petro's cabinet took office on 7 August 2022. His presidency was seen by many as the first left-wing government in Colombia's history. José Antonio Ocampo, a professor from Columbia University and former Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs in the United Nations, was appointed as Minister of Finance.

Public Protests and Challenges

During his presidency, Petro faced protests related to his government's policies and some political disagreements. These protests occurred in major cities and were motivated by various concerns about his agenda.

Agrarian Reform Efforts

Early in his presidency, Gustavo Petro aimed to start an agrarian reform. This reform sought to help poor peasant families gain access to land in a country where a small number of farms held most of the cultivable land. He faced challenges in implementing the reform, including land ownership records and concerns from large landowners.

The government intended to follow the 2016 peace agreement between the state and the FARC, which included distributing three million hectares of land to peasants. Petro's government committed to buying three million hectares of arable land at market price. An agreement was reached with the Federation of Ranchers (Fedegan) in October 2022. The government also pledged to build infrastructure to help farmers sell their crops.

Public Opinion and Support

Petro began his presidency in August 2022 with an approval rating of 48%. By early 2023, more Colombians disapproved of his performance than approved. His disapproval rate reached 66% in December 2023, with 26% approving. By June 2025, his approval rating was around 27%, with 67% disapproval. However, by March 2026, his approval rating recovered to 54%, with 38% disapproving.

Gustavo Petro's Policies and Views

Caring for the Environment

In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022, Petro highlighted the dangers of the climate crisis. He questioned what was more harmful to humanity: certain substances, coal, or oil. He criticized the "addiction to irrational power, profit and money" as a cause of climate change.

Deforestation rates in the Colombian Amazon significantly decreased by 70% in the first nine months of 2023. This was partly due to his government's conservation policies, which included paying local residents to protect the forest. The World Resources Institute also noted that old-growth forest loss in Colombia was nearly halved in 2023, attributing this to Petro's policies and community commitment.

Foreign Relations

Before becoming president, Petro had a complex view of Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. He met Chávez in 1994 and later called him a "great Latin American leader." However, he also criticized Venezuela's reliance on oil and its political direction under Maduro.

In 2019, Petro opposed foreign military intervention in Venezuela, stating that Venezuelans should solve their own problems. He believed that if Colombia re-established diplomatic relations with Venezuela and sold food to them, Venezuelan migration would decrease. After his election in 2022, Maduro congratulated him. Petro recognized Nicolás Maduro as the Venezuelan president and called Juan Guaidó a "non-existent" interim president.

In January 2026, Petro strongly condemned U.S. military strikes against Venezuela, calling them an "assault on sovereignty." He ordered Colombian security forces to the Venezuelan border.

Supporting Palestine

Petro condemned Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. He was one of the first world leaders to condemn the Israeli blockade on Gaza after the 7 October attacks. Colombia formally supported South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. In May 2024, Colombia suspended diplomatic relations with Israel and announced the opening of a diplomatic mission in Ramallah, Palestine.

In September 2025, during the United Nations General Assembly, Petro called for a "powerful army" from countries that "do not accept genocide" to "liberate Palestine." He repeated this call at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York.

Social Issues and Equality

Petro supported recognizing the union of same-sex couples and their rights to adoption and social security.

He is a supporter of the feminist movement. His government program included proposals like creating a Ministry of Equality and a chapter dedicated to women's issues.

Petro also addressed land conflicts affecting indigenous people. He invited indigenous movements, the sugar cane industry, and social movements to a "regional dialogue for Peace" to find solutions for land disputes. In August 2022, Petro proposed decriminalizing the production of certain substances, stating that "the war on drugs has failed."

In January 2023, Petro indicated that he wanted Colombia to move towards a preventive healthcare system that focuses on preventing disease. He also proposed a monthly bonus for almost three million recipients of the state's age-based pension.

Economic Policies

In May 2024, Gustavo Petro proposed that private banks should invest in projects chosen by the government, such as agriculture and tourism. His government implemented economic and social reforms to address inequalities. These included tax reforms that raised taxes on high incomes and dividends, a significant increase in the minimum wage, and a reorganization of social assistance programs to help the poorest families.

Between 2022 and 2026, monetary poverty and extreme poverty rates decreased significantly, with millions of people moving out of poverty. Unemployment also reached historically low levels, and informal employment decreased.

Gustavo Petro's Personal Life

Birthplace Details

During the 2022 presidential campaign, there were questions about Petro's true birthplace. Petro and his family state he was born in Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba. However, some opponents shared a video where Petro mentioned being born in Zipaquirá, Cundinamarca, and copies of identity documents also showed Zipaquirá as his birthplace. Petro clarified that he was born in Ciénaga de Oro, his father's hometown. His family moved to Bogotá when he was a baby, and later to Zipaquirá, where his mother registered him because travel to Ciénaga de Oro was difficult at the time.

Family Life

In 1986, his eldest son, Nicolás, was born during his relationship with Katia Burgos. They separated in 1992. He then married Mary Luz Herrán, and they had two children, Andrea (born 1991) and Andrés (born 1992). They divorced in 2000. In December 2000, he married Verónica Alcocer. They have three daughters: Sofía (born 2002) and Antonella (born 2008). He also adopted Nicolás Alcocer (born 1998), Verónica's son.

In July 2023, his eldest son, Nicolás, was arrested on charges related to money.

Religious Beliefs

Petro has a Catholic upbringing, having attended a school run by the Lasallians. There, he learned about liberation theology, which he described as "a preferential option for the poor, from a very Christian view." He has stated that he does not attend Mass regularly and focuses more on commitment to his beliefs than outward religious practices.

Awards and Recognitions

Gustavo Petro has received several awards for his work:

• 2006: Named Best Representative by the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia and Character of the Year by El Tiempo newspaper readers.
• 2007: Received the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS).
• 2011: Awarded the Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento Medal by the Senate and Chamber of Representatives Ethics Committees.
• 2013: Recognized as Defenzoor of the year by Defenzoores Association and received the City Climate Leadership Award from C40 and Siemens.
• 2018: Named Honorary Professor by the National University of Lanús.
• 2022: Received the Grand Collar of the Order of Boyacá, Collar of the Order of San Carlos, Grand Cross Extraordinary of the National Order of Merit, and Order of Merit Colonel Guillermo Fergusson from President Iván Duque.
• 2023: Awarded the Grand Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic and a Doctor Honoris Causa from the University for Peace.
• 2024: Received the Grand Collar of the Order of the State of Palestine from Mahmoud Abbas.

See also

In Spanish: Gustavo Petro para niños