Former Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba said Wednesday she does “not rule out running for the Presidency” despite a ruling that bars her from holding any public office until 2028.
Cordoba made the statement during an appearance on Cuban television, while touring the country to promote peace in Colombia, although she said she had “not met anyone from the government.”
On the subject of the presidency, Cordoba said, “I am more convinced than ever that I can do it, more convinced I have the skills. The possibility is in my heart and it is a country I love deeply.”
She added that the presidency is “not a goal but an instrument” to achieve peace.
In 2010, Cordoba was banned from holding office for 18 years, in the wake of allegations linking her to FARC rebels.
The claims stemmed from information retrieved from laptops the Colombian government claimed were recovered during a 2008 operation in which Colombian security forces killed FARC commander “Raul Reyes” in Ecuador.
Cordoba has previously mediated negotiations between government and FARC representatives and in 2009 was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her role in this capacity.