By Yamith Mariño, cambiocolombia.com, May 30, 2022
https://cambiocolombia.com/articulo/politica/ivan-duque-el-sepulturero-del-uribismo
(Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN Volunteer Translator)
The defeat of Federico Gutiérrez in this Sunday’s elections drove a nail into the coffin of Uribism.
The failure of the former Mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, marks a historic breakthrough: the end of the hegemony of Uribism. Many are blaming Fico’s mistakes in the campaign. Others might point out that it was the dreadful administration of Iván Duque that was responsible for the collapse of the political power that dominated the President’s Palace for twenty years.
You often hear it said of Fico Gutiérrez that he wasn’t “continuationism”, or an heir of Iván Duque. However, coming from the President’s Office itself, there were messages and political winks at the leader from Antioquia, like when Duque criticized Gustavo Petro’s proposals. You also saw the Minister of Interior attacking the candidate of the Historic Pact Party, and even General Zapateiro, the Commander of the Colombian Army, deliberated about politics, breaking a tradition of neutrality by the Armed Forces.
In the same way, the decision by the Inspector General of Colombia, Margarita Cabello, to suspend the Mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero, for his participation in politics by favoring Gustavo Petro, was read as an act of selective punishment in favor of the administration’s candidate.
President Duque’s disapproval rating is the highest of any President in history, surpassing 73% in negative responses.
In the future when there is a survey of the political history of Colombia, certainly Iván Duque will be described as the one who buried Uribism.