Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos cannot count on reelection, according to polling data reported by W Radio and newspaper El Tiempo.
Poll numbers indicate that Colombians are extremely polarized in their views of the president with only 47% saying they would like to see President Santos complete a second term. Only 44% thought he would be reelected.
The survey indicated huge popular support for Santos’s former ally turned bitter rival, ex-President Alvaro Uribe, with 53% naming him the best of the last seven Colombian leaders. Just 19% chose President Santos.
Colombians are divided over Santos’ management of security issues and economic matters, while a decidedly larger portion of the country approves of his foreign policy.
Almost half those surveyed, 47% said they supported Santos’ management of the security situation in the country, while 48% disapproved. Just under a third, 29%, said they felt the country was safer than when Santos’ came into office two years ago, while 49% said they thought it was less safe.
Santos’ handling of the economic situation is even less highly regarded with 65% saying they disapproved of his management of unemployment. Just 47% said they thought the economic situation in the country had improved since Santos took office.
Santos’ actions in the international arena get greater approval with 66% saying they were happy with his foreign policy toward Venezuela and 58% happy with his handling of relations with Cuba.
Almost two thirds, 64%, thought the recent Summit of the Americas was a positive move for Colombia and around the same amount approved of Santos’ management of the event.
The poll also asked which of seven recent presidents was the best with the responses as follows:
- Alvaro Uribe 53%
- Juan Manuel Santos 19%
- Belisario Betancur 5%
- Cesar Gaviria 4%
- Ernesto Samper 3%
- Virgilio Barco 3%
- Andres Pastrana 1%
And the worst:
- Andres Pastrana 41%
- Ernesto Samper 21%
- Alvaro Uribe 12%
- Cesar Gaviria 6%
- Belisario Betancur 4%
- Virgilio Barco 2%
- Juan Manuel Santos 3%