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Urban Colombians Split on Third Term for Uribe
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Colombians are divided over the possibility of extending their head of state's tenure for a second time, according to a poll by Datexco-Opinómetro published in Cambio. 49.13 per cent of respondents in 13 cities support allowing Álvaro Uribe to run for president again, while 43.01 per cent of respondents are opposed.
Uribe has been Colombia's president since August 2002. In the May 2006 election, he won a new four-year term with 62.2 per cent of all cast ballots. Uribe was able to run again after the House of Representatives and the Constitutional Court officially sanctioned a plan to allow immediate presidential re-election.
In July 2003, Uribe and leaders from the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) signed an agreement in which the latter committed to gradually demobilize its factions and cease to exist by December 2005. The process was completed in mid-2006. The AUC was originally assembled to consolidate efforts against two illegal left-wing armed groups: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).
Several members of Uribe's administration, as well as lawmakers from different pro-presidential parties, have been recently linked to investigations for their proximity to AUC-related groups. On Jul. 6, former intelligence chief Jorge Noguera—who had been appointed by Uribe—was arrested for allegedly providing right-wing death squads with sensitive information that led to killings. Thirteen other Uribe-aligned lawmakers have been arrested as well, including Mario Uribe, the president's cousin. 22 per cent of respondents say their opinion of Uribe has improved over the past year, while 19 per cent claim it has worsened.
On Aug. 8, the Red Cross revealed that two police officers kidnapped by the FARC in March died in captivity. Colombian vice-president Francisco Santos discussed the news, saying, "For the FARC, the lives of hostages mean nothing. Here are two sergeants, two people in their hands, and they are the ones who are responsible for the hostages."
Polling Data
Would you support or oppose allowing Álvaro Uribe to run for president for a third consecutive time?
Support | 49.13% |
Oppose | 43.01% |
Not sure | 7.86% |
Has your opinion of Álvaro Uribe improved, worsened or stayed the same over the past year?
Improved | 22% |
Stayed the same | 55% |
Worsened | 19% |
Source: Datexco/Opinómetro / Cambio
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 700 Colombian adults in 13 cities, conducted in August 2007. No margin of error was provided.