Colombian presidential candidate Juan Manuel Santos defends the use of a President Alvaro Uribe “sound-alike” in his campaign advertisement voice-overs, saying it’s just a bit of “playfulness.”
“It is an advertisement which brings playfulness, joy and humor to the campaign, and everyone has commented on it,” Santos said in defense of the voice-over.
“Colombians aren’t very interested in this matter over the advertisement. Some are interested in the issue, but the immense majority are interested in solving the problems of health, employment and inflation,” the former defense minister said.
Conservative Party presidential candidate Noemi Sanin criticized the advertisement on Monday, claiming that Santos was using false advertising to win votes.
“The country needs to be told, so that they are not tricked,” the former ambassador said.
Sanin’s criticisms followed a revamp of Santos’ campaign strategy, with controversial Venezuelan spin doctor J.J. Rendon at the helm.
Santos reshuffled his campaign team after the “green wave” hit Colombia, with Green Party candidate Antanas Mockus surging ahead in voter polls. Santos admitted his campaign had neglected to use the Internet as a tool to canvass votes, and that this may have been responsible for his fall in popularity.
Since Santos’ campaign relaunch, Mockus’ rise in the polls appears to have ceased, with the latest voter poll placing the Partido de la U candidate back in the lead.
This year’s race for the presidency has been characterized by smear campaigns and other dirty tactics.