Colombian opposition politicians defeat Petro's coalition in local, regional elections

Colombian President Gustavo Petro casts his vote during the elections for governors, regional lawmakers and mayors, in Bogota, Colombia October 29, 2023. REUTERS/Vannessa Jimenez

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombian opposition candidates largely swept elections for mayors, governors and regional lawmakers on Sunday, dealing a defeat to President Gustavo Petro's leftist coalition in votes that analysts called a referendum on his government.

Petro, a 63-year-old economist who was elected in August 2022 as the first leftist president in Colombia's history, has low poll ratings, and Sunday's outcome is expected to influence the 2026 presidential election.