Jacobin Radio w/ Suzi Weissman: Colombia w/ Forrest Hylton
Suzi talks to Forrest Hylton about Gustavo Petro’s historic victory in Colombia’s June 19 Presidential Election. Historic because it is the first victory for a leftist candidate in Colombia's history, despite a heavy challenge from the right. Former Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro and his VP, the Afro-Colombian environmental activist and human rights lawyer Francia Márquez, won on a platform of a green transition, tackling climate change while creating new jobs with labor rights, and pledging to make Colombia a leader in the global fight on climate. Their election spells the end of the far-right, militarist politics of Uribismo that has dominated Colombia for much of this century. It promises a new beginning for Colombia and Latin America and a new relationship with the US. We get Forrest Hylton’s assessment of the victory, the challenges ahead, and what it means for the hemisphere.