Al Jazeera English published this video item, entitled “How Francia Marquez aims to break barriers in Colombia” – below is their description.
A former domestic worker born into poverty could become Colombia’s first black Vice President.
In 2019, Francia Marquez survived an assassination attempt by men wielding firearms and grenades – an attack that came on the heels of a string of death threats against the award-winning Colombian environmentalist.
Now, three years later, Marquez could become the first Afro-Colombian vice president – a historic development in a country where politics has traditionally been the domain of wealthy white men.
She was tapped for the position by leftist frontrunner presidential candidate Gustavo Petro.
Francia Marquez has used the election campaign to open discussions about race and class in a way that has rarely been seen before.
Al Jazeera’s Alessandro Rampietti reports from Cali, Colombia.
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Al Jazeera English YouTube Channel
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