Colombia’s establishment candidate disappoints in election polls
Colombia’s far-right trying to postpone presidential elections
Colombia’s opposition embarks on anti-election fraud offensive
Establishment candidate in Colombia’s elections linked to mafia
Far-right group goes from opposing communism to opposing...
ELN declares unilateral ceasefire ahead of Colombia’s elections
Colombia’s opposition dismisses US claim of ‘Russian threat’
Colombia’s drug policy a ‘failure’ that obstructed peace:...
Medellin government rejects ‘illegitimate’ interim mayor
Electoral violence in Colombia doubled since 2018
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Santos implicitly compares Uribe to Roman tyrant

by Adriaan Alsema May 10, 2013

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos has implicitly compared former President Alvaro Uribe with tyrannical Roman emperor Caligula, causing the rage of Uribe supporters.

Santos did so in a statement published on the presidential website, defending against critics of the ongoing peace talks between his administration and rebel group FARC.

“Yes, there are some leaders, some heads of state in the past, in history – Caligula liked to make war just because, because he lived for war. But that’s not logical, it makes no sense. One has to look for peace. It’s a constitutional mandate, but we don’t need mandates to seek peace. It’s an obligation.

The implicit snide, the last of many between the two rival politicians, caused anger among Uribe-loyalists, who challenged Santos to say such things to Uribe’s face.

“It’s necessary he says clearly who he is referring to. Who does he mean? [Former President Andres] Pastrana? {Former President Cesar] Gaviria? He must be clean and specific, say names. Uribe, when he has critiques, will tell them to Santos’s face,” Uribe-loyal Senator Juan Carlos Velez told Caracol Radio.

Santos was elected in 2010 after having promised to continue his predecessor’s policy. However, after being elected he increasingly distanced himself from Uribe; Santos appointed some of Uribe’s political enemies to his cabinet and — to the dismay of Uribe — began peace talks with the FARC.

Alvaro UribeJuan Manuel SantosSantos vs Uribe

Trending

  • Why Colombia’s upcoming elections could trigger a crisis

  • Colombia’s inspector general suspends mayors on election meddling charges

  • Medellin government rejects ‘illegitimate’ interim mayor

Related articles

  • Colombia’s far-right trying to postpone presidential elections

  • Court orders Colombia’s prosecution to try Uribe on fraud and bribery charges

  • Court confirms Colombia’s ex-president is a suspected criminal (again)

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top