Colombia’s coalition U Party, once the driving force in Congress behind then-President Alvaro Uribe, on Tuesday distanced itself from the former leader over his opposition to peace talks with rebel group FARC.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, U Party president said Uribe “does not understand the U Party. The party is committed to peace and I believe that the comments made are unnecessary. Peace is a constitutional duty, of all Colombians. We support the President [Juan Manuel Santos] and the quest for peace.”
The break with the former head of state followed fierce criticism from Uribe and his allies over ongoing peace talks with the FARC.
MORE: March shows lack of support for Colombia peace talks: Senator
The U Party was formed by Santos during Uribe’s first term in office to support the then-president with a political party not alligned with the traditional political parties, the Liberal and the Conservative Party.
However, increasing differences between Uribe and Santos over a number of issues began creating a rift in the party shortly after 2010 when Uribe left and Santos entered office.
MORE: Colombia’s ruling U Party close to crisis over Uribe-Santos rift
Uribe-loyal Senator Juan Carlos Velez, told Colombia Reports the former president — who still enjoys considerable support among the Colombian population — has no more than six loyalists in Congress. Other lawmakers would either be part of the coalition or the small leftist coalition.
The former president and his supporters aim to take part in the 2014 elections under the name of Center Democratic Union.
Sources
- Partido de La U anunció que se aparta del expresidente Uribe (Caracol Radio)