Colombian political crises are invigorating with the nod that supporters of President Alvaro Uribe gave to him for third term. Supporters yarn amendment in constitution for making it possible for Uribe to run for the third consecutive term.
With the very approval for the widely popular leader, opposition staged protests and warned against Uribe’s seeking third term. Thousands participated in the demonstrations that followed and police clashed with the protesters who blocked roads and burned trucks in Colombia.
In order to make Uribe eligible for the third term, Colombian pro-government ‘U’ party needs to go long way. It needs to collect 1.3 million signatures required for forcing the referendum. Even after this, approval of the congress and affirmation of constitutional court will remain essential pre-requisite.
However, there remain high expectations for Uribe’s win in referendum due to his government’s security gains against FARC, bringing down kidnapping and murder rates, and achieving the highest economic growth rate in South America.
As the Govt. has accepted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’ offer to mediate, there are hopes for more gains to solve the conflicts with FARC including exchanging the hostages on both sides.
If this is the story and as stated that Uribe has achieved considerable success in Colombia then, there is a need to keep the momentum going. Therefore, Guillermo Giraldo, secretary general of the “U” party aptly avers:
No army switches generals when it’s winning the battle.
