Colombia's Petro: firebrand former rebel vows profound change

FILE PHOTO: Colombian left-wing presidential candidate Gustavo Petro of the Historic Pact coalition reacts during his arrival for a televised debate at the Caracol channel, in Bogota, Colombia May 27, 2022. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Gustavo Petro, who topped voting tallies with 40.8% in Colombia's first round of presidential elections on Sunday, has said his political awakening came when he watched his father weep over the death of Argentinian revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara.

The 62-year-old senator and former mayor, who was part of the M-19 guerrilla group in his youth, hopes to sway millions in a June second round to become Colombia's first leftist leader in decades.