STORY: Former guerrilla fighter Gustavo Petro is Colombia’s first left-wing president, heralding a turnaround in the South American country. He announced that he would unite the country in the fight against inequality and climate change and make peace with left-wing rebels. “I will finally unite Colombia. We must end the divisions we face as a people. I don’t want two countries any more than I want two societies. I want a strong, just and united Colombia. The challenges ahead that we face as a nation requires a period of unity and basic consensus. That is our responsibility.” The new president wants to revive the failed peace negotiations with the rebels of the National Liberation Army and promises FARC fighters reduced sentences in return for information. Also on his list of priorities is tackling the problem of hunger in the country of 50 million people, where almost half of the population lives in poverty. Among other things, a tax reform is planned that will increase taxes for high earners in order to finance social programs. In addition, access to education is to be made easier and the health system is to be reformed. Petro has a broad majority in parliament made up of left-wing and centrist parties to initiate economic and social change in the Andean country beset by unrest and drug problems.