An ex-rebel is projected to win as president in the recently concluded Colombia elections. As the vote canvassing continues, it appears that the South American country has made another milestone by electing their first black woman vice president, Francia Marquez.

Who Is Francia Marquez?

Francia Marquez, Gustavo Petro's running mate, came from a humble background. As reported by the Associated Press, she is an environmental activist from La Toma, a remote village surrounded by mountains. She has campaigned against various environmental challenges to her people, including a hydroelectric project and the mining industry.

The New York Times reports that she became pregnant at 16. To support her child, she had to work in the gold mines before working as a live-in maid.

While her story is inspiring, she still has many critics within Colombia. Many call her a leftist, while others are wary of her inexperience in the political arena, as she has never held any political office prior to winning her vice-presidential seat.

Francia Marquez Seen To Target Environmental, Gender, and Afro-Colombian Issues

Gimena Sanchez, the Andes director for the human rights group Washington Office on Latin America, has stated that Francia Marquez will be completely different from any vice president Colombia has ever had. "She comes from a rural area, she comes from the perspective of a Campesino woman and from the perspective of areas of Colombia that have been affected by armed conflict for many years," Sanchez said, adding that past Colombian presidents have not lived in the way she has.

In addition, Marquez has been receiving death threats throughout her career as an environmental activist. Because of this, she has come out as a representative for Afro-Colombians and other marginalized peoples.

With her holding the second highest seat in the land, Marquez has affirmed her stance on reducing inequality in Colombia. 

Presumptive President Gustavo Petro has previously remarked that he wanted to create a Ministry of Equality, which he plans for Marquez to head. It would work across several sectors to address various issues, from gender quality to other issues facing ethnic minorities.

READ MORE: Colombia Elections: Ex-Rebel Is Now Colombia's First Leftist President

Gustavo Petro Would Have Lost Elections Without Francia Marquez, Says Expert

During the elections, Francia Marquez rallied against racism and gender inequality in Colombia. She entered the race last year for the Democratic Pole party, though she lost to her eventual running mate Gustavo Petro during an inter-party consultation last March. 

Political analysts have reported that Petro choosing her as his vice president has also motivated many Afro-Colombian voters along the Pacific coast, which Petro won by huge margins.

Petro narrowly won the elections, only taking a little over 50% of the votes. 

Gimena Sanchez told the AP that he would not have won had it not been for Marquez being his running mate. Colombians have had a deep distrust of the political left, and a former rebel involved in the armed conflict running for president may not have been able to swing most voters to his side.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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