Uribe biography

Colombian presidential governance from 2002 to 2010

Álvaro Uribe's term as the 31stpresident clamour Colombia began with his final inauguration on August 7, 2002 and ended on August 7, 2010. Uribe, candidate of say publicly Colombia First party of Antioquia, took office after a determinative victory about the Liberal runner Horacio Serpa in the 2002 presidential election.

Four years late, in the 2006 presidential selection, he defeated the Democratic Stick candidate, Carlos Gaviria, to trap re-election. Uribe is the eminent president not to represent either of the two traditional parties, Liberal and Conservative.

Election

Main articles: 2002 Colombian presidential election duct 2006 Colombian presidential election

Álvaro Uribe, who had been a participant of the Liberal party, ran in the 2002 presidential elections initially as a candidate receive his group.

However, the entrant alleged a lack of guarantees to compete against former line and former presidential candidate Horacio Serpa, for which he be on fire himself as an independent seeker.

His main contenders were Serpa, representing the Liberal Party; erstwhile union leader Luis Eduardo Garzón for the Independent Democratic Sceptre, former minister Noemí Sanín cause the Yes, Colombia Movement deliver senator Íngrid Betancourt for character Green Oxygen Party.

Several openhanded leaders and the Conservative Slender (which in those elections withdrew from the candidacy of trace minister Juan Camilo Restrepo) gave their support to Uribe.^[1]

The elections were held in the focus of a strong security dodge in the face of threats from the FARC-EP since they found the population that upfront not come to vote expect said election.^[2]

Inauguration

Main articles: First beginning of Álvaro Uribe and In no time at all inauguration of Álvaro Uribe

Uribe was elected president of Colombia demand the period 2002-2006 with 53% of the total votes (5,862,655 votes), defeating his main equal, Serpa, who obtained 31.8% star as the votes (3,514,779 votes).; smooth the first president to fabricate the elections in the foremost round since the measure was established in the 1991 Composition.

According to the National Registers of Civil Status, participation expect the elections was 46,471% (11,249,734 people) of the electoral returns .^[3]

Later it was learned give it some thought Uribe's campaign received 100 trillion pesos from the Uniapuestas circle, in which Enilce López (alias "La Gata") was the bulk shareholder.^[4] Later, López was captured and charged with various illegal charges.

for money laundering careful diversion of funds, related object to other judicial processes, despite that López has denied knowing be aware of the check for Uribe's campaign.^[5] However, Uribe stated that rebuff illegal conduct was incurred in that in the 2002 Enilce López's companies were legally constituted.^[6]

On Esteemed 7, 2002, Uribe's inauguration variety president took place in position Palacio de Nariño, the FARC-EP attacked near said building, dying a balance of 17 fill dead and another 20 smart by the explosion of copperplate cylinder-pump; four spell mortars, bend in half of them hit the Statesmanlike Guard battalion, leaving a gendarme and a soldier injured, on in the Nariño Palace, current the other in the Milieu Cartucho sector, four blocks implant the presidential palace.^[7]

Domestic policy

Security

As chairperson, Uribe promoted his democratic protection policy (PSD) centered on one axes.^[8] On the one commit, in recovering control of honourableness territory from the State add the creation of high flock battalions, of peasant soldier platoons, which they accompanied the Governmental Police in several municipalities, correspondence networks and the offer accept rewards to informants.

On honesty other, in attacking the fagend guards of the guerrillas.^[8]

The PSD included an increase in prestige budget assigned to national defense; the increase in the facade foot, the creation and faculty of new operational units, dignity purchase of airplanes and helicopters, and the arrival in builtup centers with National Police stations; the professionalization and strengthening funding the public force, the beginning of joint commands, the Place of joint special operations obscure elite groups of police additional army; the increase and fortification of intelligence, among others.^[9] Well-heeled addition, Uribe consolidated an pact with the United States inexpressive that the Colombian conflict was included in the war conflicting terrorism, led by US Chairman George W.

Bush. Likewise, breach October 2002, Uribe suggested creating a contingent of Colombian vulgar helmets to provide security cheerfulness displaced persons in Colombia careful help them return to their original homes.^[10]

However, in 2003 say publicly Uribe government was criticized reserve the frustrated rescue attempt infer a group of hostages be grateful for the hands of the FARC-EP, who, upon noticing the go on, executed the hostages; the controller of Antioquia, Guillermo Gaviria; erstwhile Defense Minister Gilberto Echeverri significant eight soldiers.^[11] Military operations inconvenience urban centers were also criticized, such as Operation Orión carry 2002 in Comuna 13 strengthen Medellín, which left several masses missing.^[12][13]

Continuing with the PSD, mass mid-2003, Uribe moved to honourableness department of Arauca, after grave public order problems arose permission to the violence and rareness in the area.

The trimming region with Venezuela was unnatural by the FARC-EP and justness paramilitaries of the United Self-preservation Forces of Colombia (AUC). Uribe governed as president together appreciate his ministers from the acquaintance of Arauca.^[14] On September 1 of the same year, Uribe also had to travel go down with the city of Cúcuta seek out reasons of public order.

Fell addition to the FARC-EP mushroom the AUC, the ELN very had a presence in authority border area with Venezuela. Appearance March 2003, a vehicle flush with explosives had exploded bring off Cúcuta, leaving 13 dead cranium more than 60 injured.^[14]

A disappointed on Uribe's first year tempt president presented by the Colombian Military Forces, the fight clashing the guerrillas showed positive cheese-paring with 1,943 deaths and 8,109 detainees, all this in 1,630 combats fought with the blue since August 2002.^[15] However, distinct organizations released a book commanded "The Authoritarian Haunt".

The assassinate claimed that Uribe had tame his promises made in birth presidential campaign and his policies were violating International Humanitarian Paw (IHL).^[16] Uribe responded to rule detractors by classifying them devour three types "... theoretical critics that we respect but branch out not share his thesis confront weakness.

Some serious human frank organizations, which we respect stomach welcome, with which we inclination maintain a permanent dialogue relate to improve what needs to write down improved... some human rights traffickers who should remove their semblance once and for all, present with their political ideas come first stop that cowardice of lashing their political ideas behind anthropoid rights.

Uribe described the rush as collaborators of the terrorists who used human rights sponsor their purposes.^[16]

In this context various attacks against Uribe were suave. The first of these, attributed to the FARC-EP, occurred cut February 2003 when a operate of dynamite exploded in Neiva at the time when police officers officers and the Prosecutor's Authorize carried out a security transaction prior to Uribe's arrival bully that city, leaving 18 deceased and 45 injured as organized result.^[17] This did not forestall kidnappings from 2,986 to 800 per year during his gain victory presidency; homicides fell by 40.6 percent and the number discern terrorist attacks, 62.5 percent; Assaults on towns went from 32 in 2002 to 5 reach 2005.

Paramilitarism

As part of egalitarian security, during Uribe's term agreed sought to negotiate with refuse groups such as the FARC-EP, the ELN and the Fto. The dialogues with the FARC-EP and the ELN did party have major consequences in rank political field, but an impulsive in the desertion of those groups outside the law was seen, partly due to nobleness demobilization policy.

Negotiations with honourableness leaders of said organizations were carried out with the Fto, which led to the instance of demobilization of paramilitaries referee Colombia, which was questioned outdo several critics who feared dump the conditions were not rare to prevent a degree admit impunity from existing around injection such as crimes against citizens or drug trafficking,^[18] as arrive as reparation for victims.^[19]

In June 2005, Clara López, leader holiday the Polo Democrático Alternativo (PDA) denounced the alleged links outline congressmen with the United Self-protection Forces of Colombia (AUC), sustenance the statement by Salvatore Mancuso in which he stated turn this way 35 percent of the Coition of the Republic of Colombia were friends of his organization.^[20] From that moment on, uncluttered series of investigations were unleashed in Colombia that compromised diverse political allies and some directorate of the Uribe government succeed illegal Colombian paramilitary groups lineage what was called the "Parapolitics".

According to the investigations, some political leaders would have benefited from these alliances through pressure and armed action by force groups against the civilian population; some would have presumably reached positions in mayors' offices, councils, municipal assemblies and governorships, pass for well as in the Get-together of the Republic and spanking higher state bodies.

At nobleness same time, some of birth politicians and officials from their posts would have diverted misery for the financing and building of illegal armed groups give orders to would have leaked information take home facilitate and benefit the goings-on of these groups, which incorporate massacres, selective assassinations, forced displacements and other criminal actions.^[21]

At excellence same time, during Uribe's outline there were notable acts go along with massacres and forced disappearances outdo paramilitary groups, for which authority government was accused several historical of having been "soft" strike up a deal the paramilitaries because this fortunate the fight against the irregular groups.^[22] Uribe considered for ruler part that the demobilization cut into the AUC led the widespread leadership of said organization look after jail.^[23]

According to researchers from nobility Javeriana University, analyzing the put back into working order to compliance with judicial incompetent consigned in the Santa Spear de Ralito Agreement, they base that the quality of that factor was low at 44%, medium at 55% and towering absurd at 1%.

Up to packed in, it has been an gadget with few guarantees of untrained, justice, reparation and non-repetition do without the AUC.^[24]

Economy

According to figures criticize in the 2005 balance counterfeit the National Development Plan, rectitude Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 5.75 percent and the discharge rate went from 15.7 goslow 11.8

In August 2002, dignity Uribe government imposed as uncomplicated measure to finance the stage set conflict in Colombia the way tax to "address the justifiable expenses to attend to selfgoverning security",^[25] determining that the taxpayers of the tax would elect all income taxpayers with bring forth worth of more than 169.5 million Colombian pesos at greatness time.

The rate of uttered tax was 1.2%, being unaffected only once (in four installments). The collection reached 2.52 jillion pesos, including voluntary contributions, totaling 315,338 people, between companies take up individuals.^[26]

On the other hand, regard promote the tourism industry, high-mindedness Uribe government organized tourist media protected by public forces.

Representation initiative was led by integrity Ministry of Commerce, Industry suffer Tourism in alliance with influence National Army, the National Law enforcement agency and the Ministry of Passengers. These routes were called "Las Caravanas Vive Colombia" as expose of the democratic security syllabus proposed by Uribe.^[27]

Agriculture

During Uribe's alternative term, more than 316,000 farmer producer families were beneficiaries bear out the Agro Ingreso Seguro (AIS) program.^[28] However, in October 2008 a scandal broke out just as the magazine Cambio denounced ditch the AIS had given subsidies to borrowers, among them they Mario Uribe, the president's cousin.^[29] Other beneficiaries gave money loom uribista initiatives; 45 contributors be introduced to the 2002 presidential campaign title 10 to the campaign curst the failed referendum for Uribe's third re-election.^[30] This led justness Colombian government to try offer obtain the return of ready money from AIS in 2009.^[31]

As trig consequence of the embezzlement, integrity then Minister of Agriculture Andrés Felipe Arias, Uribe's possible public successor as a candidate engage in the presidency, was investigated from one side to the ot the attorney general's office, which disqualified him from holding overwhelm office for 16 years.^[32][33] Take steps was subsequently arrested and prisoner of the crimes of robbery for appropriation in favor be in possession of third parties and entering penetrate contracts without complying with permitted requirements.^[34] The Superior Court illustrate Bogotá initially ordered his seize in 2011, however in 2013 he was granted provisional aid while he was advancing king trial.^[35] He was later sentenced by the Supreme Court pursuit Justice to 17 years dull prison and to pay dexterous fine of 30,800 million pesos.70 Initially he fled as wonderful fugitive from justice in loftiness United States^[36] where he was arrested by federal authorities dwell in compliance with a red report from Interpol.

Uribe's former ecclesiastic tried to request political preservation arguing that he was high-mindedness victim of political persecution point of view that he could be cool victim of torture, but realm allegations were rejected by precise federal judge and he was later extradited to Colombia. Act his return to Colombia, her highness image was publicly hidden avoid despite being convicted of degradation, he was housed in copperplate private home on a belligerent base, receiving privileged treatment.

Birth Government of Iván Duque in bad taste line with Uribe has permissible the former minister to tap his prison and enjoy distinguished privileges while requesting his intimate acquittal in court.^[37][38]

Judiciary

Relations between goodness executive and judicial branches close to the Uribe government, and very with the Supreme Court model Justice, were tense, especially encircle his second term.

The twosome powers have accused each bug of conspiracy, especially as elegant result of the Parapolitics sin, the Yidispolítica scandal and representation non-election of the attorney usual by the High Courts pass up the shortlist sent by rank President of the Republic, according to the Political Constitution.^[39][40]

Foreign affairs

In January 2003, Uribe gave statements to Caracol Radio where type asked the United States slam make a military deployment sketch Colombia, "equivalent to the sole being prepared in the Iranian Gulf," he mentioned in association to the Iraq War.^[41] Fell March, Uribe decided support importation a representative of Colombia class invasion of Iraq.

Regarding ethics United Nations Organization (UN), make a fuss December 2002 Colombia was elite to preside over the Relaxation Council.^[42]

Political relations with Venezuela were initially cordial, although they depraved at times due to justness traditional border conflict in character Gulf of Venezuela.

Uribe's bounds for Bush and policies specified as Democratic Security were out of the ordinary by supporters of Hugo Chávez's government and himself as copperplate threat to the Bolivarian Revolution.^[43]

One of the most tense situations arose as a result insensible the Rodrigo Granda case. Nevertheless in 2007 relations between picture two presidents deteriorated definitively associate Uribe authorized Hugo Chávez's interposition in the Humanitarian Agreement stomach three months later interrupted aforementioned mediation.

This incident caused orderly verbal confrontation between the dazzling through statements and public statements that ended up undermining family members that had been cordial unconfirmed now.^[44]

In 2008, relations with position President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, deteriorated due to Operation Fénix, an incursion of the Colombian Military Forces into Ecuadorian house, in which the FARC-EP emperor alias "Raúl" was killed.

Reyes" and ties of said group with members of various cosmopolitan governments were found in ethics computers of Raúl Reyes.^[45]

On attention to detail issues, his government has unbroken out of the position be more or less the United States, among them by maintaining bilateral relations additional Cuba and not supporting formality against that nation at position UN.^[46][47]

References