Alvaro Uribe “No Lost Causes”, review

 

Love him or loath him, Colombia´s Ex-President Alvaro Uribe Vélez is without doubt the most important figure in the country´s recent political history.

No Lost Causes is a page-turner of a memoir, a whistle-stop tour through the political life of a man who even after leaving office continues to define Colombian politics.

It is, however, impossible to escape the feeling that this book was written with an American audience in mind. It reads as an introduction to Colombia, an historical overview of the events that shaped Uribe´s time in office, both in Antioquia, and later in the Casa de Nariño.

For Colombians who lived through the 80s, 90s, and through the eight years of Uribe´s government, there will be very little new in this book. For expats here or for American or European audiences on the other hand, No Lost Causes is an essential read.

Uribe, with the help of Brian Winter, weaves a compelling narrative more akin to a political thriller than a confessional memoir.

It is certainly true that the book lacks the elegance and intellectual introspection of say Tony Blair or Bill Clinton´s memoirs, but it is perhaps all the more compelling for its no-nonsense, no frills prose.

The fact is Uribe´s experiences in power write themselves. The dramas of Operación Jaque, the stand offs with Chavez and Correa, and the constant battle against the FARC leave the reader breathless.

The relentlessness of Uribe´s days in office, the mantra of “work, work, work” is what the author wants to you feel. Uribe would scoff at the luxury Blair and Clinton had – there´s no time for such self-indulgence here, you can almost hear him bellow.

Throughout the book, Uribe alludes to his political heroes, Churchill, Rafael Uribe Uribe, Abe Lincoln, and Thatcher; austere, determined, and embattled figures.

The central thesis of No Lost Causes is that Uribe was a man who dared to do differently, who stood against the prevailing forces and, despite the attacks against his character, despite the death threats, and despite the propaganda of the FARC, was not a man to let give up until he won.

One of Churchill´s most celebrated sayings was “Keep Buggering On”. This is how Uribe would like us to see him – the archetypal never-say-die leader.

Uribe is as polemic and direct in this book as he is in real life; his great political talent is his ability to speak directly to the people. No Lost Causes was written to mirror this voice, and it succeeds.

This book is a 100% defence of Uribe´s time in office, there is little time for remorse or regret. As a result, there will be those who will throw the book at the wall in frustration, while others will punch the air in agreement with the assessments of the ex-president.

Yes, No Lost Causes does examine the role of Uribe´s parents in the formation of his views, but no the book does not dwell too long on Uribe´s childhood. The vast majority of the memoir is dedicated to politics. There are brief moments when we get a glimpse of what Uribe is like away from the political stage, but the overriding sense is that this is a man obsessed and entirely focused on one thing.

Sure, the book presents only one side of the story, and sure it is partly an attempt to preserve the ex-president´s reputation which has been damaged (particularly abroad) by the corruption allegations made against his regime, and the constant rumours of involvement with the paramilitaries. But Uribe deserves to be read.

Uribe´s argument is cogent and strong, he takes on his opponents and makes a robust case for why he should be seen as the man who saved Colombia from the abyss.

Anti-Uribistas will no doubt steer clear of this book. For those who do not take sides, this book is a fascinating, personal and historical (although not at all academic) account of a Colombia we all hope has been left behind.

The memoir is one of the great traditions of (in particular) American and British politics. Colombia Politics hopes Uribe sets a trend and we can hear, in the future, from others.