Colombia: end of electoral campaign for candidates a few days before the vote
Gustavo Petro, left-wing candidate for the presidential election and favorite in the polls, during his last meeting in Bogota on May 22.
AFP - YURI CORTEZ
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
In Colombia, the dice are cast since Sunday May 22 was the last day of the electoral campaign.
The opportunity for the candidates to gather their supporters one last time before next May 28, the day when the Colombians will go to the polls to elect their new president.
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For the first time in the country's history, a leftist candidate is the favorite in the polls.
Gustavo Petro
gathered his supporters this Sunday in the historic heart of the capital, Bogota, reports our
special
correspondent ,
Stefanie Schüler
.
“
What we have proposed is a national unity built on new foundations
,” explains the presidential candidate.
While 85% of Colombians believe that their country is going in the wrong direction, the very progressive program of Gustavo Petro raises hope.
“
He wants to reduce social inequalities, make universities free
,” explains a sympathizer.
For this other supporter, Gustavo Petro is looking for a way to create quality jobs and improve access to healthcare.
►
To listen: Presidential in Colombia: the favorite left despite the a priori
The promise of a new era of peace in the country
“
We need to implement the peace agreements because the outgoing government has turned them into confetti and rural areas are suffering the brunt of violence.
It is therefore important to implement the peace agreements
, ”says this Colombian who came to support the candidate.
"
If we want to open an era of peace in Colombia, we must eradicate the regime of corruption
," said Gustavo Petro, who promises, if elected, to ask the UN to set up an international commission to investigate acts of corruption in the country.
"
Today we can end this electoral campaign, because I am sure that next Sunday we will change the history of Colombia
", concluded the candidate a few days before the vote.
Federico Gutierrez promises to defend Colombians in the face of insecurity
In Medellin, conservative candidate Federico Gutierrez also gathered his supporters for a final speech.
In front of thousands of people gathered at the edge of the Medellin river and after a torrential rain;
Federico Gutierrez appears on the scene.
The candidate of the “
Team for Colombia
” coalition calls on his fellow citizens to “
unite
”, promising to “
work for all Colombian families
” and to fight against “
insecurity
”.
"
What happened a few days ago, when the armed group of the Gulf Clan, in retaliation and revenge for the extradition of the drug trafficker Otoniel, sowed terror and blockaded several regions, killing representatives of the forces of order and destroying families.
This can no longer happen.
You have to be present.
And when we are in the presidency, for any type of problem of this kind, you know that I will be there, I arrive in five minutes and we will face it by sticking out our chests.
We will defend people.
»
►
To read: Presidential election in Colombia: a drug trafficking gang invites itself into the countryside with an "armed strike"
Conservative candidate wants to unite Colombians
In the audience, Harlen Figueroa held up a sign with the slogan "
I identify with Fico
", the candidate's nickname.
“
No other candidate unites Colombians without resentment or hatred.
We are sure that he will triumph, because he is not a politician, these very populist people.
Him, he is sincere, he only offers what he can really apply
, ”said this sympathizer.
Federico Gutierrez' meeting ended with a single word: “
Sunday we will vote first thing in the morning
”.
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