Colombia's new President Ivan Duque takes office
Bogota, Aug 8 (IBNS): Colombia's new President Ivan Duque took office after he was sworn in at Bogota's Bolivar square on Tuesday.
During the programme, the new President has urged the Colombians to unite as one.
A former lawyer, he has promised to deal with corruption and uplift the country's falling economy.
"I want to govern Colombia with unbreakable values and principles, overcoming the divisions of left and right, overcoming with popular dialogue the prickly feelings that invite social fracture, I want to govern Colombia with a spirit to build, never to destroy," Duque said in his inaugural address.
He has also vowed to respect the accord signed with rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or The Farc in 2016, to bring an end to the decades long civil conflict.
The rebels have formed a political party, Revolutionary Alternative Common Force, managing to win a few seats in the country's parliament.
At 42, Duque is Colombia's youngest ever President.
He is a protege of former President and Centro Democrático political party founder Álvaro Uribe Velez.
Duque defeated his opponent, Gustavo Petro, by 12 points in June and later won the run-off election by 54 percent of the final vote.
Duque's running mate, Marta Lucía Ramirez, has become Colombia's first ever female vice-president.
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