Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Colombia's Uribe blocked from re-election
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier
26 Feb 2010
Golden Yuna joins all time skate greats
26 Feb 2010
SeaWorld to keep whale that killed trainer
26 Feb 2010
I cannot underestimate Clottey, says champion Pacquiao
26 Feb 2010
UPDATE 2-Biden unveils new rules on U.S. retirement savings
26 Feb 2010
UPDATE 2-Clinton says U.S. deficit now a security issue
25 Feb 2010
Military allows Twitter, other social media
26 Feb 2010
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier
26 Feb 2010
8.3-magnitude quake hits Chile - USGS
2:34am EST
Cuba pushes Latin American cooperation without U.S.
23 Feb 2010
Colombia's Uribe blocked from re-election
Patrick Markey and Andrew Cawthorne
BOGOTA
Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:37pm EST
Factboxes
Factbox: Facts about Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe
Fri, Feb 26 2010
Factbox: After Uribe, who's in line for Colombia's presidency?
Fri, Feb 26 2010
Colombia´s President Alvaro Uribe gestures during a health meeting in Barranquilla February 26, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Jairo Castilla
BOGOTA (Reuters) - A court blocked Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Friday from running for re-election, making his former defense minister the favorite to succeed the Washington ally in a May presidential election.
World
The constitutional court ruling marked the start of a tough race to replace Uribe, who during his eight years in power became the country's most popular president for his U.S.-backed war on leftist rebels and cocaine traffickers.
Juan Manuel Santos, a former Cabinet minister closely associated with Uribe's security success against Latin America's oldest insurgency, leads in opinion polls. After the ruling, he confirmed his intention to run for the presidency.
With Colombians waiting for word on their political future, the court voted 7-2 to reject a referendum on Uribe's re-election bid. It cited irregularities ranging from the referendum's financing to its rocky passage through Congress.
"I accept and I respect the decision of the constitutional court," Uribe said after the ruling. "One dream inspires me: that the country betters its path, but does not change it."
Under the conservative leader, the FARC or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has been weakened, and foreign investment has flowed steadily into Colombia, an Andean country once a byword for a failed state mired in drug violence.
Many Colombians, even his foes, praised Uribe, the 57-year-old son of wealthy landowners, as a man who managed to steer the country onto the right track. But the re-election question dominated the political agenda for more than a year as Uribe remained evasive on whether he would run.
Any candidate to succeed Uribe is unlikely to shift far from his security policies, although most of the aspirants say they will seek to focus more on social development in the top coffee exporter and Latin America's No. 4 oil producer.
"Uribe's sidelining from the presidential race is unequivocally positive in our view, opening the door to a deep bench of candidates who are broadly in favor of policy continuity," said analyst Patrick Esteruelas at Eurasia Group.
DEALING WITH CHAVEZ
Uribe, whose father was killed by FARC rebels in a botched kidnapping, won the presidency in 2002 promising to smash the guerrillas. Violence, kidnapping and bombings have eased and major cities are now much safer than eight years ago.
Colombia has became Washington's staunchest ally in the region, where leftist leaders in Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador preach anti-U.S. rhetoric. Last year, he signed a deal allowing U.S. troops more access to Colombian bases.
The new president will have to manage delicate relations with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has clashed with Uribe repeatedly over U.S. military cooperation he sees as a threat to his OPEC nation.
Uribe's successor must also tackle soaring unemployment, a recovering economy and a lack of state presence in rural areas while consolidating security gains outside major cities.
FARC rebels are still fighting in remote areas, ambushing troops and laying improvised land mines. New militia gangs engaged in drug smuggling are an increasing worry and the country remains the world's No. 1 exporter of cocaine.
Santos, who also served as finance minister and planned some of Uribe's major successes against the FARC, led with 18 percent support in a recent poll discounting Uribe.
"I want to reaffirm that I aspire to be a candidate for the presidency," Santos said in a statement. "What we need to do now is work to ensure his (Uribe's) legacy of security and progress is not lost."
Sergio Fajardo, an independent praised for his performance as Medellin major, received 12 percent, while another former defense minister, Noemi Sanin, took 11 percent in the poll.
The political transition could unnerve the local peso currency and benchmark TES debt markets in the short term, but most analysts see long-term continuity in policy.
Colombians will vote next month in legislative elections likely to be a benchmark of support for Uribe's political coalition. But the elections could risk splintering the alliance if parties squabble over presidential candidates.
Already Uribe's U Party and the Conservative Party -- two heavyweights in the president's coalition -- have clashed over whether they should present a unified candidate.
Uribe was re-elected once before in 2006 after his supporters pushed through a constitutional amendment to lift restrictions on incumbents running for a second term.
But the move to change the law again for Uribe fueled worries over the threat to Colombia's democracy. His second term was marred by scandals over rights abuses by troops and illegal wiretapping of his opponents by the state spy agency.
His popularity has hovered above 60 percent during his nearly eight years in office. But the government's handling of an overhaul of the health service this month appeared to cost him politically after the measures triggered protests.
"It was time to put a stop to Uribe," said car parts salesman Roberto Villegas. "He began to think he was a god."
(Additional reporting by Javier Mozzo and Nelson Bocanegra, Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Peter Cooney)
World
More from Reuters
Sen Dodd's bank super-cop may be doomed: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bold proposal by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd to set up a single supervisor for U.S. banks looks doomed, said a source familiar with Senate committee discussions on Friday.
8.3-magnitude quake hits Chile - USGS
Payrolls, ISM may steer stocks
Citi, BofA pay banking heads more than CEOs
Military allows Twitter, other social media
Congress panel cites evidence of Toyota concealment
» More Top News
Top five stories of the week
Tragedy, folk dancing and one mammoth- sized dog are the stories that grabbed your attention this week on Reuters.com. Catch up on the headlines here. Full Article
Slideshow: Best pictures of the week
World
Vancouver 2010:
Winter Games come to a close
The Vancouver Games wind down with the final 11 gold medals up for grabs, highlighted by the men's hockey final between U.S. and Canada. Full Coverage
Winter Olympic notebook
Live Coverage: Winter Games chat
2010 winter olympics
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts.com
Buyouts Europe:
Buyouts Conferences:
Venture Capital Journal
EVCJ
International Financing Review
International Securitisation Report
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Saturday, 27 February 2010 Multi-nation police unit to hunt Dubai killers
Danish paper apologises to Muslims in cartoon row
US economy surged 5.9 percent in fourth quarter
UN again calls for 'credible' Gaza war crimes probe
Kadhafi call for jihad unacceptable: UN top official
Fighting in Afghan assault wanes
US insurer suffers $8.9 bln fourth quarter loss
Dubai police claim DNA proof of Hamas man's killer
UNESCO worried about Israel heritage plan in West Bank
|
Iran Sunni rebel says U.S. offered him military aid
Myanmar court rejects Suu Kyi appeal
|
Lobbying China on Iran, Israelis admit limited sway
|
Pixi discounts seen hurting Palm profits
|
India's PM decries deaths of 6 Indians in Kabul
2 huge icebergs let loose off Antarctica's coast
Thai cowboys saddle up to celebrate Wild West
China parliament passes defence mobilisation bill
Suicide bombers strike in heart of Kabul; 17 dead
Thai court orders assets seized from ex-PM Thaksin
Thai court seizes assets from ex-premier Thaksin
India says up to 9 citizens killed in Afghanistan
Taiwan will 'drown' without China trade pact, warns PM
India unwinds tax cuts, trims deficit
Japan Airlines loses $2 billion in April-December
Tata Motors earnings up on Jaguar Land Rover
Pakistani stocks down; rupee firmer; o/n rates flat
Hollywood North readies for Bollywood West role
Jazz star Herbie Hancock goes global with album
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jazz star Herbie Hancock goes global with album
'Photogenic' Khrushchev reassessed in exhibition
Sotheby's to sell rare blue diamond in Hong Kong
Batman beats Superman in million-dollar comics battle
Hollywood North readies for Bollywood West role
3-D films face new test with Burton's "Wonderland"
British army chief aims for Afghan pullout in 5 yrs
Berlusconi likens Italian judges to Taliban
Colombia's Uribe blocked from re-election
|
Facebook patents social networking update feeds
Bigger Afghan operation yet to come: US
US winds down Afghan assault but bigger one on way
Greek PM to meet Merkel, Obama amid debt crisis
|
US military lets soldiers Tweet, blog and Facebook
Tsunami warning issued for Chile, Peru after quake
|
High-ranking military arrests stir fresh Turkey concern
Hedge funds pile up bearish bets on euro: report
Military allows Twitter, other social media
Suicide car bomber kills four in NW Pakistan
|
Barak signals Israeli autonomy against Iran
Microsoft says Google acts raise antitrust issues
Philippine rebels raid southern village, 11 dead
|
Google's Street View back in privacy activists' sights
Strong quake hits Japan's Okinawa, no major damage
|
Prisoner death a setback in Cuba-U.S. relations
|
Pixi discounts seen hurting Palm profits
Zimbabwe's Mugabe, 86, to party amid distress
|
U.N. urges Iraq to ratify atomic inspection protocol
|
High-ranking military arrests stir fresh Turkey concern
|
Thaksin supporters denounce Thai court verdict
SKorea sends 190 troops to Haiti to rebuild
Microsoft says Google acts raise antitrust issues
|
Wang completes golden Chinese sweep
Military allows Twitter, other social media
|
TigerText app removes embarrassing text messages
Philippines: Suspected Abu Sayyaf attack kills 11
Infatuated man kills Wash. teacher outside school
Suicide car bomber kills four in NW Pakistan
Bam! Bam! Bam! 3rd blizzard this month smacks East
Philippine rebels raid southern village, 11 dead
Top US military official visits quake-hit Haiti
Pakistan suicide attack kills 3, wounds dozens
Prisoner death a setback in Cuba-U.S. relations
U.S. Democrats focus on next healthcare move
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Pakistan suicide attack kills 2 police officers
South Korea may propose at G20 global dlr fund
US lawmaker blasts Toyota for withholding documents
Precious sweeps Image Awards, Wyclef Jean honored
|
Matt Damon says waiting on Kennedy film script
|
Dolphins, monks, migrants aided by Oscar's long arm
|
"Precious" sweeps Image Awards, Wyclef Jean honored
SAfrica: Soccer, safari, surgery, sharks and more
Matt Damon says waiting on Kennedy film script
In Milan, Versace lays on the leather, Armani soft-pedals
Corrected: Missing actor Andrew Koenig killed himself: father
Dolphins, monks, migrants aided by Oscar's long arm
Kenya tourism edges back towards pre-crisis levels
Iran's Mousavi calls for new opposition demo
Colombian election race starts, Santos favored
|
Australia 'not satisfied' with Israel response on passports
Yemen sappers enter Shi'ite rebel stronghold
|
Kabul attacks aimed to show Taliban 'defiance'
Curfew in north Liberia after religious clashes
|
Iran's Mousavi warns over system's legitimacy waning
|
Russia urged to detail activist murder probe
|
Renewed tension looms in Turkey after military arrests
|
Berlusconi corruption trial adjourned to March 26
|
Mauritanian army kills 3 in attack on armed convoy
|
Huge quake of 8.8 magnitude hits Chile
'Widespread' tsunami warning for Pacific nations
Australia on tsunami watch following Chile quake
Pacific faces tsunami risk after Chile quake: Japan
Taiwan's ruling party defeated in by-elections
China premier: 2010 'most complicated' for economy
Philippines: Suspected militant attack kills 11
Indonesian police detain 93 Afghan asylum seekers
10,000 to march for gay pride in Sydney
Australia 'not satisfied' with Israel response
Suicide bomber kills three in Pakistan: police
China premier: 2010 'most complicated' for economy
China does not want trade conflict with US: Wen
Exit plans depend on each country
Florida whale shows to resume after deadly attack
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights