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President Uribe Third Term?

BOGOTA, June 4 (Reuters) - Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, whose "Democratic Security" policies have put leftist rebels on the defensive and sparked economic growth, refused on Wednesday to rule out a third run for office.

Uribe, elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 after Congress passed a constitutional amendment allowing a second term, is flirting with running again in 2010. This would require another change in law.

"We seek to assure the re-election of Democratic Security and investor confidence," Uribe told local radio when asked if he would like to run again, declining to endorse allies such as Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos who are possible candidates.

Colombia, in the grips of a four-decade-old guerrilla insurgency funded by the cocaine trade, is home to regular political violence against trade unionists and others suspected of pro-rebel sympathies.

Uribe characterized left-leaning opposition politicians such as former presidential candidate Carlos Gaviria as having affinities with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which is also notorious for killing civilians.

"They want to move backward and turn the country over to the FARC, which we are not going to permit," the 55-year-old Uribe said.

Rights groups say such statements by the government put opposition figures at risk of violence by right-wing paramilitary groups.

Uribe is a Wall Street favorite but many investors and analysts say a third term by the bespectacled conservative would present a threat to the independence of Colombian institutions, such as the courts and the central bank.

Goldman Sachs on Wednesday blasted Uribe for his habit of pressuring the central bank to lower interest rates, calling it "unfortunate from an institutional standpoint and also unwarranted from an economic perspective."

The U.S. Congress has blocked a Colombian trade deal saying Uribe has failed to crack down on right-wing violence amid a scandal linking some of his allies to the paramilitaries.

But he remains a hero to many at home for pushing the FARC out of urban areas and back into the jungles with the help of billions of dollars in U.S. military aid. This has attracted investment and prompted 7.5 percent economic growth last year.

The president's strongest supporters -- called "Furibistas" in Spanish, or "furious Uribe followers" -- are collecting signatures in favor of a referendum to ask voters if they want to allow Uribe to run again in two years. (Reporting by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Anthony Boadle)

By mariacvetanoski on Jun 5, 2008, 04:39 in Politics & the war.

Gator says on Jun 5, 2008, 05:15:

For those of you who do NOT live in Colombia don't under estimate the popularity of this man.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 5, 2008, 05:46:

Yes Gator, the popularity and the effectivness against FARC. The USA tried this with FDR then saw the error of the third term. With Uribe ????

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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aztec says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:00:

Bill, I believe FDR won four terms! The only American to do so.

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aztec says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:05:

I like Uribe very much and I agree with Gator that he could win a third term. However, that make me nervous. I am inclined to believe Colombia is better served in maintaining a strict limit on how long the Chief Executive may serve.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:06:

and he will win again if he goes ahead... certainly he will have my vote..

good that buggy cant' read my comment as i am on his ignore list jijij

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lpdiver says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:13:

A comparison to Chavez might be more appropiate than a comparison to FDR.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Gator says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:14:

Bill, If I remember my Poly Sci classes at U of F he had served three full terms and died about a year into his fourth. The Republican 80th United States Congress wanted to establish a firm constitutional provision barring presidents from being elected more than twice. The rationale was a concern that without limits, the presidential position could become too similar to that of a benevolent dictator lasting not just four years but a lifetime, and that the position could become too powerful and upset the separation of powers resulting in the 22 amendment which passed in March of 1947 and ratified in February 1951. There were two national crises that gave FDR that many terms-The Great Depression and WWII

Before this it was an unwritten rule that the president serve no more than two terms. In Sr. Uribe's case I have mixed emotions, but if that's what the people want let him run again. But my personal opinion is the last thing Colombia needs is a dictator, benevolent or otherwise. But when approval approaches 80% then ???????????

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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gorgonabob says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:19:

its pretty undemocratic to not allow someone to run for president as long as they want in my opinion. In real democracies like England, New Zealand and Australia you can run as long as the people want you to. Anything else is not a democracy in my view. Just look at a company like GE.. they have someone in charge for 20 years, whats wrong with that. As far as Im concerned Uribe should be able to run for president if he wants and if the people vote for him then thats great.

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Lowell says on Jun 5, 2008, 06:32:

Gorgonabob has it right. if the person isn't popular they won't stay in office.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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aztec says on Jun 5, 2008, 07:16:

gorgonabob, in all due respects GM is not a democracy. As I have said my wife will indeed vote for Uribe again if he runs. I would also if I could.

One of the only two times and the first I ever saw my mother cry was upon the news of the death of FDR. Believe me when I tell you people can become too depend upon a father figure.

To continue to reelect a person time after time is dangerous to a democracy. It becomes a government by cult which inevitably leads to dictatorship.

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romy says on Jun 5, 2008, 07:16:

So gorgonabob and Lowell don't fully understand what a democracy entails... (wikipedia does a good job) it's sounding more like a demagogy in Colombia's case

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gorgonabob says on Jun 5, 2008, 07:28:

am i the only one that thinks a person should be able to vote for anyone they want to be president. id hope not.

and im sorry aztec, but, 'To continue to reelect a person time after time is dangerous to a democracy. It becomes a government by cult which inevitably leads to dictatorship.' is just wrong. please apply that to three good examples, australia, england and new zealand of where you can elect a leader as long as you want. i dont remember living in a dictatorship in nz. our leader has been in charge for around 10 years and people are starting to get a little sick of her so they probably will not vote her/ her party in this year in the new elections. its called a democracy. being able to vote for who you want

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Jun 5, 2008, 08:02:

It would be foolish to underestimate his popularity, but popularity by itself does not justify sidestepping the constitution yet again. While it has to be "approved by the people", the people can be manipulated through the media and other means.

Whatever you say about Uribe, anyone who can detach themselves emotionally from the situation would see some very disturbing issues. Whether they turn out to be true or not, the "parapolitica" and now the "Yidispolitica" are issues that need to be investigated and considered by all parties. I am not passing judgment as none of us has all the facts. Still, it would be very naive to believe that there isn't at least a possibility of some truth to them.

I'm sure that some ardent Uribistas will lambaste me for not being patriotic or not loving our great president. So be it. I am not blindly following anyone. Leave that kind of hyper patriotic nonsense in totalitarian states where it belongs. A real democracy thrives on debate and a healthy skepticism towards even the most popular leaders.

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romy says on Jun 5, 2008, 08:43:

#1 is the constitution of course

The yidispolitica is most worrying for this issue... but the parapolitica (even farcpolitica if it exists) gives me no confidence in the entire electoral process.

CG, I'm sure as soon as Simon logs on...

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Gator says on Jun 5, 2008, 09:23:

Geez! Some that are bitching about Sr. Uribe don't even LIVE in Colombia.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Jun 5, 2008, 09:27:

So what? I'm a Colombian citizen who could choose to vote for or against him. I own property in Colombia and most of my family is there. One does not have to live in Colombia full time to have a valid opinion and a genuine interest in the country's politics. In any case, I didn't say I was against the guy, but that there are issues that need to be investigated and considered.

What's it to you? Are you a Colombian citizen?

I normally respect your opinions and usually find your comments to be lucid and informative. However, your implication that someone who does not live in Colombia full time cannot have a grasp of the political situation is absurd.

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lpdiver says on Jun 5, 2008, 09:38:

Hmmm, a democratically elected dictator. Interesting. jejeje

t

"cook some rice!"

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 5, 2008, 09:42:

The situations are not apples-to-apples, but look at Bolivia, Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador or Russia today to see the very real risks of a popular President who doles out money, rails against boogeymen as the source of all problems and then changes the constitution and/or stacks the country's most important institutions with his cronies. Once you reach that point, it's very difficult to get them out of office barring street violence, a coup or a broad revolution.

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romy says on Jun 5, 2008, 09:44:

"Hmmm, a democratically elected dictator. Interesting. jejeje"
same thing they say of Chavez...

I didn't even "bitch" about Uribe... just commented on the two troubling issues CG presented.

"I'm a Colombian citizen who could choose to vote for or against him. I own property in Colombia and most of my family is there. One does not have to live in Colombia full time to have a valid opinion and a genuine interest in the country's politics." Same things apply to me

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Jun 5, 2008, 09:49:

Saying that someone can't have an informed opinion about Uribe and Colombian politics because they don't presently live there is as silly as telling an American expat living in Colombia that they can't have an opinion about Bush or the upcoming elections.

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Simon says on Jun 5, 2008, 10:08:

Uribe for a third term? HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"A comparison to Chavez might be more appropiate than a comparison to FDR."

Why? If it's because they're both hispanic and you're implying that hispanics can only become dictators if they rule for a long time then you're being a bigot!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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aztec says on Jun 5, 2008, 10:14:

I would like to see him run again but I am just trying to remain consistent with my opposition to someone like President Hugo Chavez. I just hope y'all are not producing another Eastasia!

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lpdiver says on Jun 5, 2008, 10:36:

The thought never crossed my mind. However, we not know what lurks inside yours. Ya I'm a bigot...thats why I married a Colombiana.

t

"cook some rice!"

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juancegomez says on Jun 5, 2008, 10:54:

The article is a pretty selective representation of what Uribe told Caracol Radio, but can't say I'm surprised, either way.

It's true that he did not deny the possibility that he will run, and that he did not explicitly endorse any candidate (though there's really nobody in the running right now, officially that is, so any endorsement would be too premature), but he did clearly say, and this isn't properly explained in the English article above, that he wanted his policies to be reelected even if their "executor" (that is, himself) wasn't.

Maybe it's all part of a PR strategy or what have you, but time will tell if he runs or not, the rest is just teasing and speculation.

Otherwise...what else is there to say? I won't support him, that's pretty much it, for reasons already explained before.

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Gator says on Jun 5, 2008, 13:30:

ColombianoGringo, amigo, the post was not meant to be all inclusive. If you read my posts you should no I am not a citizen(national) but a long-time permanent resident. Could be a citizen but chose not to make the step. The post was directed at those who live in other countries and post things like, "I have been to Colombia twice and...."

There are a LOT of persons who are in the same situation as you who, of course, are up to date on Colombian affairs and are entitled to opinion on the government, past, present or future.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Jun 5, 2008, 14:26:

Gator,

I understand. I thought you were referring to romy and me. I appreciate the clarification. Like I said, I've come to respect your opinions although I may not always agree.

CG

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angelcanada says on Jun 5, 2008, 19:09:

I will vote for him for another term, we need to let him finish what he started.

MY NAME IS ANGEL. I AM COLOMBIAN AND LIVED IN CANADA AND THE USA FOR 18 YEARS. I RETURNED TO MEDELLIN AND WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SERVICES AS INTERPRETER/ ESCORT AND DRIVER. I CAN ALSO HELP IN FINDING SHORT TERM APT. RENTALS.

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Lisa Zee says on Jun 5, 2008, 21:21:

Vote for McCain and it would be like voting for Bush for the third time. lol

Uribe will have my vote also.

Feliz Navidad!

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 6, 2008, 06:58:

Better McCain than a Latino Hater like Hussain Barama

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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romy says on Jun 6, 2008, 07:04:

funny how xenophobia will take such a major role in this upcoming US presidential race, at least that seems to be a stronghold of the republican rhetoric.

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Gator says on Jun 6, 2008, 07:18:

does this statement apply to ANYONE who is NOT pro BHO?

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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romy says on Jun 6, 2008, 07:20:

you can be pro anything... it's just sad to see a campaign rely on hate

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 6, 2008, 08:21:

It is even sadder to hear the hate mongering that BHO coinfidants and associates have expressed, Farachan for example. I lived through the Weathermen and Black Panther strifes and to think a prospective US President is friendly with the proponents of these hate philosophies is really more worrisome than another Bush. Too bad these are our only choices.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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