Old war and fresh wind - elections in Colombia

Having almost reached the geographical peak of our travel, we just arrived in time for the first round of presidential elections in Colombia. For polling day we found accomodation at a friend of David in Cali, third biggest city of the country. Wilfredo and Julian gave us an excellent introduction into current politics and Cali's varios faces.

Elections were special. Colombia is almost the only country left in Latinamerica being ruled by a right wing government and the only remaing country being a reliable partner for the United States. The current president Uribe's sucess by combating Farc and other guerilla groups and his hard approach to reinstall public safety brought him to be one of the most popular leaders of the continent. His denial to call the state of the country civil war, the suspicion that the government has illegaly supported right wing paramilitaries, more than 6 billions (Milliarden) euros paid by the US to finance "Plan Colombia" with an almost exclusively military approach and desatrous consequences for the environment did not minor his popularity. Nevertheless, his try to become for the third time president was rejected by High Court, so fastly Uribe had to present another candidate following his course. With Manuel Santos he chose for a rather controversial figure. Santos serves as defensive ministry in the current government, was responsible for the atacks on Ecuador last year and blamed to have connections to the paramilitaries.

Voters first seemed to disregard Uribe's choice and polls before the elections indicated a surprise. The former mayor of Bogotá Antanas Mockus and leader of the previously irrelevant green party of Colombia rose and rose in the public opinion until a standoff or even advantage over the establishment's candidate. Indeed, we entered Colombia and saw Mockus everywhere: On pictures, in facebook, in talks with the younger generations, of which at least a big part was enthusiastic by a new and incorrupt option, presenting new ideas as political solution to the countrie's problems. Even on election day people on the street were rather dressed in green than in orange, the color of Uribe's party. The persons we met who did not vote for Mockus,rather voted for other more liberal candidates instead of Santos.

At 16.00 o'clock, after closing the elections, next surprise was published on tv. Santos won with a big advantage. He was almost to get the absolut mayority in the first round by reaching more then 46 percent. Mockus stood with 21. Anyway, with being the most voted candidates they both make it to the second round in 3 weeks. Seems that the party of Uribe, shocked by the polls, could turn around their strategy, has mobilized every posible supporter against the enfant terrible and hippie Mockus who once showed his nacked ass to the audience of a political discussion and does not fit into the image of a strong minded and determined plitician.

When first results were published, we met David's grandmother. Although disappointed, her first comment was: "It were calm elections." Bliss in a country who is involved since decades in a civil war and who could not guarantee public just a couple of years ago.

To some degree, the turmoils of the country were even posible for us to discover. Strong police control right after our entrance to Colombia in the Pasto region, where the guerilla still has their hands on. Friends who had to pay 5000 US$ to have the privilege to not fullfill their obligatory army service. A father who served and was shot in the army, now spending his life as a veteran. Brother and sister of the housemaid living for two weeks with the family of Wilfredo. School was suspended in their home village where the Guerilla still has a strong impact and where the authorities were afraid of troubles before the election. And to complete the sad story, their mother was killed just 5 months ago.

Certainly, after restoring public order more is necessary to reconciliate the country and more recipies are necessary to reach peace in society than only military answers. After 20th of june, when presidential elections go into their second round, one of the candidates has the chance to do its best and go further in the peace process.

Julian and Wilfredo explaining the countrie's history.
Lines in front of a polling station in Cali.
Mockus approaching Colombian people after reaching 21% of votes in the first round.