If you’re looking for a name, it’s Gustavo Petro. But honestly, just knowing his name doesn't tell you much about why Colombia is currently one of the most watched—and debated—countries in the Western Hemisphere. Petro isn't just another politician. He’s a former guerrilla member, a longtime senator, and the first leftist ever to win the presidency in a country that historically leaned quite conservative.
He took office on August 7, 2022. Since then, it's been a whirlwind.
The Man Behind the Title: Who is Gustavo Petro?
Petro's story sounds like something out of a Netflix drama. In his youth, he was part of the M-19 guerrilla movement. Now, before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to understand that M-19 eventually laid down their arms and transitioned into a legitimate political party in the early 1990s. Petro was part of that transition. He traded his rifle for a seat in Congress and never looked back.
He’s a brainy guy. An economist by trade. He spent years as a fierce critic of corruption and the paramilitary influence in Colombian politics. That made him a hero to many young people and a total villain to the old-school establishment. When he won the 2022 election alongside his Vice President, Francia Márquez—the first Afro-Colombian woman in that role—it felt like a massive earthquake for South American politics.
He doesn't talk like a typical politician. His speeches are long, dense, and often focus on the "politics of life" and climate change. He’s obsessed with the idea that the world needs to stop using oil and coal. Which is kind of wild when you realize that oil and coal are Colombia’s biggest exports.
The "Total Peace" Plan
One of the main reasons people ask about who is the leader of Colombia is because they want to know if the country is safe. Colombia has been through decades of internal conflict. Petro’s big swing is something he calls "Paz Total" (Total Peace).
💡 You might also like: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
Basically, he wants to negotiate with everyone at once. We’re talking about the ELN (National Liberation Army), various dissident groups of the former FARC, and even powerful drug cartels like the Clan del Golfo.
It hasn’t been easy. Not even a little bit.
Critics, including former President Iván Duque and various members of the opposition like Miguel Uribe Turbay, argue that Petro is being too soft. They say that by offering "carrots" to these groups, the security situation in rural areas is actually getting worse. It’s a messy, complicated process. Sometimes a ceasefire is announced, and then a week later, a group breaks it. It’s a constant back-and-forth that keeps the country on edge.
Changing the Economy and the Environment
If you follow global climate news, you’ve probably seen Petro’s name. He’s arguably the most vocal environmentalist among world leaders right now. At the UN and COP summits, he’s been shouting from the rooftops about how the global financial system needs to change to protect the Amazon rainforest.
Here’s the rub:
📖 Related: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
- Colombia relies heavily on oil revenue.
- Petro has stopped granting new contracts for oil and gas exploration.
- Investors are, understandably, a bit freaked out.
The Colombian peso has seen some serious volatility during his term. Some days it's the strongest currency in the region; other days, it's plummeting because of a controversial tweet he sent at 2:00 AM. He’s a very active social media user. He uses X (formerly Twitter) to bypass traditional media, which he often calls biased or "oligarchic."
The Challenges of Governing
Winning an election is one thing. Actually passing laws is another. Petro doesn't have a majority in Congress. Early in his term, he had a "big tent" coalition, but that fell apart pretty quickly when he tried to push through a massive healthcare reform.
He wants to move away from a system where private insurers manage the money and give the state more control. Half the country thinks this will finally bring doctors to poor rural areas. The other half thinks it will lead to massive corruption and the collapse of a system that, while flawed, actually works for many urbanites.
Because he can’t get his reforms through Congress easily, he’s been forced to shuffle his cabinet multiple times. He’s lost some of his more moderate voices, like former Finance Minister José Antonio Ocampo, which made the markets nervous.
Is Colombia Still Safe for Travelers?
This is the big question for most people outside the country. Even though the "Total Peace" negotiations are rocky, major tourist hubs like Cartagena, Medellín, and Bogotá remain generally open for business.
👉 See also: Johnny Somali AI Deepfake: What Really Happened in South Korea
The leader of Colombia is trying to pivot the economy toward tourism to replace oil. He calls tourism "the new petroleum." So, the government is incentivizing people to visit. But, you still have to be smart. The security situation can change depending on which department (state) you are in. Places like Cauca or Arauca are still very dangerous due to the presence of armed groups.
What to Watch Next
The Petro administration is at a crossroads. We’re deep into his four-year term (the Colombian constitution doesn't allow for re-election, by the way), and the "change" he promised is hitting the reality of bureaucracy and political opposition.
Keep an eye on the 2026 elections. Even though Petro can't run again, the race to succeed him will basically be a referendum on his presidency. If his reforms succeed, his chosen successor might have a shot. If the security situation continues to deteriorate, the country might swing hard back to the right.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Colombian Politics:
- Follow the Peso: If you want to know how the market feels about Petro’s latest move, check the USD to COP exchange rate. It reacts in real-time to his policy announcements.
- Look Beyond Bogotá: To understand if "Total Peace" is working, look at local news from regions like Nariño or Chocó. What happens in the capital is often very different from what happens in the mountains and jungles.
- Check Social Media: Since Petro uses X as his primary communication tool, following his official account (@petrogustavo) is the fastest way to see his unfiltered thoughts—just be prepared for a lot of posts about the "global polycrisis."
- Diversify Your News: Read El Tiempo for a more traditional perspective, but also check out La Silla Vacía for deep-dive investigative reporting on how the government is actually functioning.
Colombia is in the middle of a massive social experiment. Whether Gustavo Petro is remembered as a visionary who saved the Amazon or a populist who overpromised and underdelivered is still being written. But one thing is for sure: he is never boring.
Next Steps for You: To get a feel for the current atmosphere on the ground, search for recent "Bogotá city council" or "Medellín security" updates, as local leaders often clash directly with Petro’s national policies, providing a clearer picture of the political divide.