Colombia’s Catholic Church insists on a discussion about the possible
re-election of President Álvaro Uribe. According to the Church, the
country should choose democracy over a person.
Barranquilla Archbishop Ruben Salazar, chairman of the Episcopal Conference, says the church’s objection is not about Álvaro Uribe, but about the democracy. “We will see if it is desirable that the country opens the possibility for an indefinite re-election, we will see if it’s desirable for the country or not,” the clergy told the newspaper El Espectador.
Even though the approval rating for the President is high, there is no reason to change the constitution so that someone can take advantage of it, especially when there is no possibility to debate the possible risk, Salazar said.
The Archbishop’s words follow those of Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio who said Saturday he does not want to debate with the Church about the possibility of re-election.
Cossio is in charge of pushing the possibility for Uribe to be re-elected for the second time in 2010.