Posted on 05/27/2006 5:26:18 PM PDT by blam
Colombian voters lead backlash against revolution from the Left
By John Webster in Bogota and Sophie Arie
(Filed: 28/05/2006)
Colombian voters will thwart the grand plan of Venezuela's Left-wing and populist leader, Hugo Chavez, to spread revolucion throughout the region if, as looks probable, they re-elect a loyal ally of George W Bush as president in elections today. Two other big Latin American countries are likely to follow suit in coming months.
Alvaro Uribe, the son of a wealthy landowner who has campaigned vigorously against Colombia's drugs trade, is expected to win a clear majority today. Conservative candidates in Peru and Mexico are also ahead in the run-up to presidential elections next month and in July.
President Alvaro Uribe
If all three succeed, the result will be greeted with relief by the White House, which has become increasingly anxious at the apparent spread of Mr Chavez's radical, Cuban-inspired, anti-American politics - although the only other similar leader to be elected is Bolivia's Evo Morales.
Although most Latin Americans feel deeply resentful of imperialist foreign powers, who they say have pillaged their region's natural resources, they are wary of associating themselves too closely with Mr Chavez and causing a rift with America, their largest source of trade and aid.
Colombia is the most immune to the Left-wing fervour. Many Colombians are repelled by the Left because of the kidnappings and bombings unleashed on their country over the past 40 years by guerrillas fighting for a Marxist state.
"I would never vote for the Left-wingers here,'' said Laura Suarez, 42, in her Bogota café. "I think a lot of them are guerrillas in suits who want to turn Colombia into another Cuba." Even those who wish to vote for the Left face a dearth of options because Right-wing para-militaries have systematically killed off many of the country's Left-wing leaders.
Out of nowhere, however a Left-wing candidate, Carlos Gaviria, has jumped surprisingly from two per cent six months ago to 24 per cent in the latest polls on voting intentions.
The chubby, bearded, lawyer - nicknamed Santa Claus for his cuddly appearance - says he is determined to show that "being a Leftist doesn't mean you have to be aggressive".
Not enough Colombians are convinced, however. Mr Uribe, 54, regarded as a kindred spirit by Mr Bush, has a lead of more than 30 percentage points over his rival in the latest polls.
Mr Uribe is admired in Colombia as a strongman who has taken on the rebels and - with the help of $3 billion (£1.6 bilion) of American aid - begun to win. Reported kidnappings have dropped from a high of 3,581 in 2000 to 800 last year. Although Colombia remains the world's largest cocaine producer, his government has markedly reduced production of the drug.
In Peru and Mexico, conservative candidates could hold onto power, despite serious challenges by Left-wing leaders. When Peruvians vote on June 2, they will choose between the centre-Right ex-president Alan Garcia, and Ollanta Humala, an admirer of Mr Chavez. Mr Garcia is leading polls by between 12 and 16 per cent.
In Mexico, the pro-Right government of Vicente Fox is likely to continue in office under a new party leader, Felipe Calderon, in elections on July 2. Mr Calderon's campaign has played heavily on scare tactics, running advertisements suggesting that his opponent, Lopez Obrador, is a thinly disguised clone of the Venezuelan leader and a "danger" to the country.
Chavez would be better suited taking a dirt nap.
How about Lula of Brazil? He's not leftist?
You're joking, right?
He too, is wary of getting to close to Chavez...
Uribe will walk away with the election and it will put fear into Chavez. We basically have partner in Colombia who will help us control Chavez and Colombia's military would clean their clocks.
Colombia's economy is booming under Uribe. The country hasen't be safer and business are pouring money in to the country.
This is obviously a conspiracy. No one ever votes against Marxists....
(/sarcasm)
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