Ernesto Samper, Colombia's president from 1994 to 1998, is often viewed as the first leftist leader in Colombian history, a title now shared with Gustavo Petro. Despite controversy over potential narco-financing of his campaign, Samper has embraced progressive politics, particularly through his role in UNASUR from 2014 to 2017. During a recent visit to Mexico, he addressed regional leftist challenges and the rise of far-right politics, while humorously reflecting on his experience as a former president. However, he strategically refrained from commenting directly on current leaders like Petro or the Venezuelan situation.
Many consider Ernesto Samper, 74, to be the first leftist president that Colombia has had in its recent history a recognition typically attributed only to the current president, Gustavo Petro.
He has done this through the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), where he was secretary general from 2014 to 2017, and by embracing much more progressive positions than when he was in power.
I had to be a president [who faced] many difficulties but I have greatly enjoyed being a former president.
Samper feels comfortable speaking about the challenges facing the left across the region, the rise of the far-right, as well as Trump's second term.
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