The first debate in the First Commission of Colombia’s Senate about the
re-election of President Álvaro Uribe ended in a serious clash between
the promotors of the referendum and the opposition Liberal Party.
When Luis Guillermo Giraldo, member of the organizing body of the referendum, wanted to speak before the Commission to defend the initiative, he was reprimanded by opposition Senator Héctor Heli Rojas.
According to Rojas, Giraldo was legally morally and ethically hampered to speak about the issue, because of the current investigation into the possibly faulty financing of the referendum.
Giraldo said the investigation does notprevent him to speak before the Senate andsaid he was collaborating with all competent authorities in the investigation.
The hearing was suspended until Monday.
