Colombia Election: New president calls for less division, but might modify peace deal

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02:34

After a divisive election campaign, Colombia's President-elect, Ivan Duque, is calling for unity. But the opposition is warning Duque not to roll-back the FARC peace deal. CGTN's Michelle Begue reports from Bogota.

After a bitterly fought presidential campaign, Colombia has a new president. The winner Ivan Duque spoke of uniting the country in his televised acceptance speech.

IVAN DUQUE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF COLOMBIA "No more divisions. Let's think about a country for all and everyone. For me, it's very important to tell you and the whole of Colombia, that today there are no defeated citizens, because I want to be the President that gives the same love to those who voted for me and those who didn't."

Duque won Sunday's election with 54 percent of the votes against Petros 42 percent. During the campaign, Duque promised to modify the fragile peace accord signed with the demobilized FARC guerillas in 2016.

A relative newcomer in national politics, Duque was backed by former President Alvaro Uribe Velez, a staunch opponent of the peace talks and final accord.

Critics say Duque could prove to be an Uribe puppet, an accusation Duque has denied.

His leftist rival, Gustavo Petro, admitted defeat on Sunday, but confirmed he would continue to oppose any effort to roll back the peace accord.

GUSTAVO PETRO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "We, the eight million Colombians who voted, are not going to let them take us back towards war."

Duque promised to impose tougher penalties for crimes allegedly committed by the FARC during their five decades of armed conflict with the government.

FARC leader Rodrigo Londono still congratulated Ivan Duque for the win and called for common sense moving forward.

RODRIGO LONDONO FARC LEADER "Knowing the outcome of the elections that resulted in the candidate Ivan Duque, the FARC expresses its willingness to meet with the president-elect to present his views on the implementation of the peace agreement."

MICHELL BEGUE BOGOTA "When Duque takes office on August 7th, he will become the second youngest President in Colombia's history. Michelle Begue, CGTN, Bogota."