This is the Guardian.

Today in Colombia, a glimpse at how the pandemic has reshaped politics,

opening the door to the most left-wing president in the country's history.

Throughout Latin American history, as left-wing parties have taken power across the continent,

one country has kept them out of office, often by force.

Last week, that changed.

For the first time in its history, Colombia has elected a leftist president.

Colombia has a new leader, and Gustavo Petro is nothing like anyone who's come before.

It's history, what we're writing at this moment, a new history, for Colombia, for Latin America, for the world.

He's promising to end the drug war, change Colombia's relationship with the US,

and shift the country's economy away from gas and oil.

But he's going to face challenges, and maybe not just political ones.

On election night, he's celebrating this historic victory.

He's been really writing for his whole career, and the atmosphere and the huge arena is elation.

Everyone is as happy as they can be.

But also on stage, the side of him are two police officers holding bulletproof shields,

which just reminds you of the danger that he is in and that leftist politicians in Colombia in.

This is a country that has seen leftist presidential candidates that have done well only on the campaign trail assassinated, and this guy's now won.

The Guardian, a Michael Safi, today in focus, how a former guerrilla fighter became Colombia's first left wing president.

Joe Park and Daniels, you cover Colombia for the Guardian based in Bogota.

Can you start by telling me a bit about Gustavo Petro?

Petro is a Colombian politician. He has been mayor of Bogota. He has ran for president unsuccessfully twice.

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