Colombia leftist Petro goes to second round with businessman Hernandez

A wall with an image of Colombian left-wing vice-presidential candidate Francia Marquez and Colombian left-wing presidential candidate Gustavo Petro is pictured one day before the first round of the presidential election, in Cali, Colombia May 28, 2022. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombian leftist Gustavo Petro came out on top in the first round of the Andean country's presidential election on Sunday and will face a surprise contender - businessman Rodolfo Hernandez - in a second round on June 19.

Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement who has vowed profound economic and social change, had 40.3% of votes, national registry office tallies showed, with 99.9% of ballot boxes counted.