 I want a strong Colombia, just and united. The challenges and challenges we have as a nation demand a stage of unity and basic consensus. Thousands of people gathered at Plaza Bolivar in Bogota, Colombia to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected president and vice-president Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez. The two candidates of the historic pact coalition represent a major shift in the politics of the country. There's is the first left-wing government in Colombia. The ceremony took place on August 7th, which was also the 203rd anniversary of the country's independence from Spain. I swear to God and I promise to the people to follow the constitution and the laws of Colombia. I also swear to God and to the people to follow the constitution and the laws of Colombia. I also swear to my ancestors and ancestors until the dignity is done. In his speech, Petro vowed to work for true and lasting peace, fight inequalities and protect the most marginalized and excluded in society. He said he will not allow greed to put biodiversity and the environment at risk. He vowed to fight against corruption, promote science and culture and abide by the constitution. Petro promised to defend human rights, develop the national economy and engage in dialogue with all sectors to build a better Colombia. For many, the inauguration of Petro and Marquez has marked the beginning of a new era of peace and social justice in Colombia. While swearing in Marquez, Petro gave his first order as president and asked the military chief to bring liberator Simón Bolleva's sword to the ceremony. The outgoing President Iván Duque had earlier denied Petro's permission to bring out the sword during his inauguration. According to the team of transfer of command, Petro had expressed to Duque his wish for Bolleva's sword to be part of the presidential inauguration. The organizers of the event had managed to get all the permits required for its transfer from the Casa de Narino to the Bolleva Plaza. However, Duque denied its departure citing safety reasons. Bolleva's sword is a symbol of freedom, unity, hope and life for Colombians as well as Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, Peruvians and Bolivians. Under outgoing President Iván Duque, Colombia experienced a period of heightened insecurity, human rights violations, violence and a deepening of the economic crisis. His presidency was marked by an increasing number of attacks against human rights defenders and social activists. This year alone, until August 1st, the Institute of Development and Peace Studies had recorded 58 massacres which had resulted in 205 deaths. While Duque publicly denounced drug trafficking and drug use, his government was seen to be acting in the interests of drug traffickers and the corrupt. Duque's war on drugs which he waged in close alliance with the United States has been seen as a major failure which only resulted in needless violence and tragedy. Gustavo Petro has announced he will take a decidedly different approach. It is possible if, for example, the policy against drugs is changed, that the war against drugs has led the states to commit crimes. Our state has committed crimes. We are going to wait for another million Latin Americans to be killed, or rather, we will change the failure. For a success that allows Colombia and Latin America to live in peace, it is time to change the anti-drug policy in the world so that it allows life and does not generate death. Petro will also be shifting from Duque's position towards Venezuela which was in line with the dictates of the United States. Petro has said he will recognize Venezuela's government under President Nicolas Maduro and the two countries will work together. Maduro sent a video message to Petro congratulating him on his victory. Petro and Marquez's inauguration was attended by delegations from across the globe including Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, Bolivian President Luis Arce, Honduran President Gio Maracastro, Trillion President Gabriel Boric, Ecuadorian President Güeyer Molazo, among others.