In the runoff election of June 19, 2022, Electoral Pact, led by Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez received the majority of the votes and will take over the leadership of Colombia on August 7, 2022. This victory came from the overwhelming support of an electoral alliance of  the mass of the poor peasantry,  indigenous peoples and the mobilized Afro-descendants. In particular the leadership and political courage of Francia Marquez pushed the society beyond 200 years of oligarchic rule and a quasi-feudal slavery. From its inception Colombia has been the site of massive militarism with death squads executing rural and urban social leaders, peasants, workers, indigenous people, students and Afro-descendants. This was particularly intensified after the 1948 Bogotá upheavals. 

This election marks a new turn for the peoples of Latin America. The Global Pan African Movement, North American delegation stands with the peoples of Colombia and salutes the victory over the forces of the greedy oligarchs.   GPAM salutes the new leadership, especially the exceptional qualities of humility and clarity that was brought to the process by Francia Marquez. We note the commitment to fight racism, violence and genocidal traditions and urge the new government to work hard to  implement the peace agreements signed in 2015 between the FARC and the government of Juan Manuel Santos. The deliberations and findings of the Truth Commission provide a starting point for reparative justice. GPAM calls on the Global African family to support the new leadership as they confront the scourge of militarism and imperialism in Latin America. Demilitarization of Colombia is one major step in the dismantling of the US military presence in Latin America and the Caribbean.