Colombia: Uribe allies biggest losers in elections

Opposition politicians were the big winners in local elections held in Colombia yesterday. One of the most notable victories was by Samuel Moreno for the mayor of Bogota (image); the former legislator ensured that the leftist Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA) would continue its hold on the Bogota mayoralty by easily beating ex-mayor Enrique Peñalosa. In addition, several independent candidates won key mayoral positions including the son of impoverished campesinos in Medellin and a woman in Cartagena.

The head of the PDA- Carlos Gaviria emphasized the “convincing victory” in Bogota served as a “massive defeat” to President Alvaro Uribe. The Uribe administration took the claims with their usual humility and good nature:

“Those in charge with responding…where (Interior Minister) Carlos Holguin and (Vice President) Francisco Santos. The former accused Gaviria of being one of the intellectual heads behind the website of the FARC (guerilla organization). Santos assured that nobody with high ethical principals can be defeated.”

The build-up to yesterday’s elections was punctuated by violence against candidates, especially those from rural areas. Yet the vote transpired calmly and with little violence except for a few isolated incidents.

Sources (English)- Reuters, BBC News, PRESS TV, International Herald Tribune

Sources (Spanish)- El Tiempo, RCN

Image- BBC News