(UTV|COLOMBO) – Colombia’s newly-elected President Iván Duque took office on Tuesday, pledging to unite the country and improve economic growth.
The conservative political newcomer was elected in June after a divisive election campaign where he saw off left-wing rival Gustavo Petro.
In his inaugural address, the former lawyer pledged changes to tackle corruption and invigorate the economy.
The leader has also vowed to change the peace deal with the Farc rebel group.
The outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos has urged Mr Duque to respect the deal, which was negotiated in 2016 to bring an end to the country’s brutal five-decade civil conflict.
The Farc, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, is now a political party known as the Revolutionary Alternative Common Force. A number of its members took up seats in parliament last month as part of the terms which guarantee it political representation.
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