Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Mockus/Parody pact - a new politics for Bogota?

Political marriage -Mockus and Parody
The future of Bogota is at stake on 30 October 2011. Outgoing Mayor Samuel Moreno is in jail as he faces trial for corruption on a monumental scale. He leaves behind him a city in desperate need of strong political leadership, and drastic change. Bogotanos know they must choose wisely.

Whoever wins needs a clear mandate. But polls show that the electorate are hopelessly divided. There is a bewildering number of candidates to choose from and votes are spread relatively evenly, and consequently thinly. Worryingly, neither of the two front runners - Gustavo Petro and Enrique Penalosa - are polling above even 20%. What Bogota desperately doesn't need is a mayor who's scraped to victory.

Welcome news today then that former mayor Antanas Mockus and Gina Parody have joined forces and will now stand on the same platform. This narrows the field, offering a chance to vote both for experience and a fresh state at the same time - an always intoxicating political cocktail.

Two days ago, this website reported on Penalosa's bid, and Uribe's support - this story eclipses that.


Monday, 26 September 2011

Uribe & Penalosa - the politics of Bogota's mayoral election

Penalosa and Uribe on the campaign trail
For eight years Colombian politics were dominated by one man - ex-president Alvaro Uribe. Yesterday he was back on the campaign trail - not for himself but for his old friend and would-be mayor of Bogota, Enrique Penalosa.

Until recently, Green Party candidate Penalosa was a dead cert to become Bogota's mayor. But with a month to go to polling day, it's now a tight, two or three horse race. Penalosa is hoping Uribe's support will nudge him across the finishing line - will it?

Friday, 23 September 2011

World economies lose their heads as Colombia's is held high

If a week's a long time in politics, at the moment it seems like a life-time in economics. As markets plunge across the world you'd be forgiven for believing that it's all doom and gloom. But take a quick look at Colombia for a quite different picture of the future.

The week's stories from Bogota point towards a continued and sustainable growth in the Colombian economy. Here are four reasons for optimism.

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

World Bank - Colombia's economy safer than France's

Colombian stock exchange
Colombia's economy is one of the safest and fastest growing in the world, according to the World Bank and the IMF.

Are Colombia's politics - and the policies pursued over the last decade - propelling the nation onto the world stage?




Sunday, 18 September 2011

Colombia's guerrilla politics - the end game?

Proposals released this week - by Colombia's peace commission - would allow ex-FARC guerrillas to take up political office in Colombia. Is a political end to Colombia's war in sight?





Saturday, 17 September 2011

Death of Colombia's biggest political party?

President Santos
Are we witnessing the death of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' political party - El Partido de la U?

The U was formed in 2006 to support Alvaro Uribe's presidential re-election bid. Uribe is no longer in power and although Juan Manuel Santos was elected under the U banner (as a result of Uribe's support for his candidature) his natural home is considered by many commentators to be in the Liberal Party.

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Sept 11th and the Venezuelan threat

Ten years on from 9/11/01, who does Washington see as the main threat to peace and security in the Americas; Muslim fanatics or left-wing guerrillas supported by Venezuelan commander in chief, Hugo Chavez?










Thursday, 8 September 2011

Obama shows Colombia some leg

Was tonight the night Obama answered Colombia's call?

As predicted on this website on Tuesday, President Obama placed the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement at the heart of his jobs plan, delivered this evening to Congress. Obama demanded that Congress approve the measures therein - immediately.

Obama has shown Colombia some serious leg. Congress must now, finally, consummate the marriage.

Santos - more popular than Obama ever was

Is President Santos the most popular head of state the world's ever seen?

Some are beginning to ask that question after the latest poll - a year after President Santos took office - showed support for the Colombian leader at 82%.  


Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Colombia - Time for American TLC?

Obama needs to show Colombia some love.

Presidents Santos and Obama
Colombia is the US' closest ally in South America.

But as the country continues to wait - five years and counting - for the US Congress to sign off the Free Trade Agreement, many are asking 'why is it taking so long, Mr President?'

Earlier this year, the Obama regime promised Colombia that the FTA (TLC in Spanish) would be pushed through Congress in a matter of months. So as US politicians return to their desks this week after their summer vacation, will the breakthrough finally come?

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Turbulent times for Colombian Conservatives?

What will the Conservative Party do next?




Two days ago I reported on ex-president Andres Pastrana's efforts to become the next president of the Conservative party. Since then current President, Jose Dario Salazar, has made it clear that in order to do so, Pastrana would have to wait and submit himself to the Conservative electorate in 2012. But Pastrana's allies appear determined to get him in post in November, following the local and regional elections.






Saturday, 3 September 2011

Abortion - UK, Colombia - worlds apart

Anti-abortion rally, Colombia, 2006
Listening to the debate on abortion in the UK and in Colombia the differences in cultures (political and social) could not be more stark.

Legal abortion rates in the UK are among the highest in the world, around 200,000 a year. In Colombia there were 641 legal abortions between 2006 and 2010.



Friday, 2 September 2011

The nine lives of Colombian politicians

Pastrana
Today's El Espectador newspaper reports that ex-president Andres Pastrana could become the next leader of the Colombian Conservative Party.http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/politica/articulo-296401-andres-pastrana-seria-el-nuevo-jefe-del-partido-conservador
This is important in two ways.
            1. It reveals the trend in Colombian politics for longevity. 
            2. It represents a potential further shift in power away from Alvaro Uribe - who only a year ago left office as Colombia's most popular president (ever?). 

Thursday, 1 September 2011

That government is best which reforms the most?

Here's looking at you, kid. Vargas Lleras
As I mentioned in the previous post, the Santos regime is working hard to reform the way politics are done in Colombia.

Corruption exists in different forms, including - as reported in that post - offering sweeteners to the electorate in return for their vote.




Dope for votes?



Only in Colombia!? In Barranquilla - home of hip-shaking Shakira - votes are sold for joints? Apparently so, according to El Tiempo. http://www.elheraldo.co/pol-tica/lo-que-faltaba-en-barranquilla-cambian-votos-por-marihuana-35451








Politics - The Killing Game

Rivera in all his pomp
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/21/v-fullstory/2335707/colombian-politics-remains-a-deadly.html

I was reminded of this article by the news today that the Defence Minister Rodrigo Rivera resigned citing a decline in the security situation and a rise in FARC activity. Security could yet be the defining issue of the Juan Manual Santos regime. It would be an irony indeed.