Leftist candidate wins Colombian presidential runoff

{O/C} The leftist candidate in Colombia's nail-biting presidential election has carried the day with approximately 50 percent of the votes.

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Gustavo Petro's third attempt at the presidency saw him snatch 50.48 percent of the votes, with his property magnate rival Rodolfo Hernandez's at 47.26 percent.

The election came amid the crusade against growing inequality, inflation and violence, factors that drew votes away from the long-governing centrist and right-leaning politicians and instead go for two outsiders for this runoff.

Hernandez, whose campaign focuses on weeding out corruption, conceded defeat.

Petro's win signifies the end of Colombia's long stigmatisation and relegation of the left for adding fuel to the country's fire with untrammelled turmoil.

The vote also means the first Black female vice president -- Petro's running mate, Francia Marquez, who's a lawyer and environmentalist.

Petro issued a clarion call for unity during his victory speech, while remaining magnanimous, saying all members of the opposition will be welcomed at the presidential palace to thrash out the problems smothering Colombia.

His win is the latest leftist victory in Latin America, following those in Chile, Peru and Honduras.