A right-of-center-dominated Colombian government?cemented with the likely reelection of current conservative president Alvaro Uribe?appears all but assured ahead of the May 2006 presidential elections. With three-quarters of Latin American governments controlled by left-of center politicians?populists and socialists?the Bush administration is relieved to have a conservative ally in an increasingly unfriendly area. As Colombians prepared for last Sunday’s Congressional elections, Colombian political analysts were preparing for a conservative victory; however, very few foresaw the overwhelming level of support given to politicians loyal to President Uribe and his administration’s policies. Barring a catastrophic political blunder on the part of the Uribe administration, FARC rebels should begin bracing for another four years of relentless pursuit by the Colombian military.
However, international observers remain concerned with the inclusion of paramilitary forces in democratic politics. Colombia politics have long been tainted with criminal elements. Many international political experts, as well as the United Nations have openly expressed their concern that election results would be manipulated by former and current paramilitaries. Although these concerns appear overblown, a small sect of individuals, who have well documented ties to paramilitaries, won seats in the newly elected Congress. The Uribe administration had previously urged political parties loyal to his administration to expel anyone suspected of ties to such groups; however, certain individuals, such as H?ctor L?pez, the son of a convicted money-launderer, still managed to secure a seat. Though such cases are few, the election of these particular criminal elements remains disconcerting to foreign election observers and human rights advocates.
A first round victory for President Uribe in May will provide Uribe with the mandate needed to enact several of his more aggressive policies. A friendly and loyal Congress will gladly approve a free trade agreement with the United States and ensure the implementation of tough fiscal reforms being sought by Uribe. Colombians have voiced their approval of Uribe’s aggressive stance towards leftist FARC guerrillas and his controversial amnesty of AUC paramilitary forces . The relative tranquility of last week’s elections would seem to demonstrate that Uribe’s aggressive posture is having the desired effect on FARC capabilities.
With Latin America continuing to shift toward the left on the ideological spectrum, and firebrand dictators such as Hugo Chavez increasingly undermining US policy throughout the continent, the US has grown weary of those Latin America leftists that continue to be a thorn in the side of US foreign policy. President Uribe represents the last stalwart of a dying breed and together with Chile, the prototypical neo-liberalist success story.
