Re-electionist referendum: The turning point for Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Re-electionist referendum: The turning point for Colombia
Friday, 03 April 2009 07:08

It is widely conceived that Uribe has split Colombia’s history in two. His supporters, on the one hand, mention the weakening of the FARC, the demobilization of the right-wing paramilitaries and the revitalized foreign investment confidence. Uribe’s detractors, on the other hand, point out at the human rights violations in combating the FARC, the leniency on the paramilitaries and the failure of his trickle-down economics to benefit the poorest in society. However, the real reason Uribe has split Colombia’s history in two is due to the damage done to democracy that would be be further aggravated if a second re-election is successful.

Uribe accomplished the first re-election in congress thanks to a congresswoman acceptance to change her vote in return for some lucrative public office seats and a congressman who was allegedly paid off to miss the voting. In the end the Constitutional Court ruled that one immediate re-election would not undermine the crucial check and balances characteristic of strong democracies.


Currently, a new re-election attempt is being promoted through a referendum, which would circumvent the Constitutional Court’s provision after approving the first re-election. Once again there are various allegations of fraud in the collection of signatures for the legislation of the referendum. First, the financing surpassed the ceiling permitted by law. Second, dirty money may have financed it. Third, there are allegations that the National Registry leaked information to the collectors of signatures. More than the popular support this new re-election attempt illustrates the powerful and shadowy economic interests at work.

Different sectors in civil society openly oppose a second re-election, including the church - somewhat paradoxical when the church's system is based on a similar authoritative structure. Some congressmen are reluctant to openly oppose the referendum due to repercussions in their constituencies. Some others have denounced the fraud, however, their denouncements before the Prosecutor General and the Inspector General offices may be futile. The PG has delayed and changed the prosecutor in charge of investigating the fraud allegations and the IG has demonstrated his bias tracked record towards the government.

More:
http://www.colombiareports.com/opinion/117-cantonese-arepas/3470-re-electionist-referendum-the-turning-point-for-colombia-.html