Colombia’s Liberal Party Backs Gutierrez in Boost for Candidacy

  • Party’s lawmakers are a powerful bloc in nation’s congress
  • Petro calls on Liberal rank and file to defy their party boss

Colombian conservative candidate Federico Gutierrez speaks during a presidential debate in Bogota, Colombia, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Candidate Gustavo Petro maintains a lead ahead of the May 29 vote.

Photographer: Ivan Valencia/Bloomberg
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Federico “Fico” Gutierrez received the backing of one of Colombia’s most powerful political parties, boosting his chances in the tight presidential race.

Both Gutierrez, a conservative former mayor of Medellin, and leftist senator Gustavo Petro had been vying for the support of Liberal Party chief and former President Cesar Gaviria.