One day after the first signs of division in social-democratic party
Polo Democrático, the Liberal Party — Polo’s opposition partner —
sees the beginning of a internal power struggle that includes two former Colombian
Presidents: Ernesto Samper and César Gaviria.
The two main opposition parties are facing the same problem: finding a candidate that is likely to offer an alternative to the relatively successful and popular policies of current President Álvaro Uribe.
Polo Democrático Monday saw a rift between prominent senator Gustavo Petro, representative of the moderate wing of the social democrats, and Carlos Gaviria, accused by Petro of being a radical socialist.
The Liberal Party now seems to be divided in two camps; that of former president Ernesto Samper and former President César Gaviria (not related to the Polo leader).
Gaviria supporter Senator Eli Rojas took the first swing at Samper, calling him a hooligan and saying some of his actions have a “tremendous perversity” when talking to Caracol Radio.
Rojas says Samper is seeking an alliance with the unpopular Bogotá mayor Samuel Moreno (Polo Democrático) and seeks to push forth the controversial senator Piedad Córdoba as presidential candidate.
Samper had not responded to the accusations Tuesday afternoon.
