Bogota | Colombia’s first leftist president was scheduled to be sworn into office on Sunday (Monday AEST), promising to fight inequality and heralding a turning point in the history of a country haunted by a long war between the government and guerilla groups.

Senator Gustavo Petro, a former member of Colombia’s M-19 guerilla group, won the presidential election in June by beating conservative parties that offered moderate changes to the market-friendly economy, but failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas.

AP