Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA5665
2007-08-02 22:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
OCTOBER LOCAL ELECTIONS: A QUICK LOOK AT KEY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 005665
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/AND AND US/OAS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2017
TAGS: PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO
SUBJECT: OCTOBER LOCAL ELECTIONS: A QUICK LOOK AT KEY
RACES
REF: BOGOTA 5431
Classified By: Political Counselor John Creamer - Reasons 4.1 (b, d)
Quick Look at Key Races
========================
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 005665
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/AND AND US/OAS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2017
TAGS: PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO
SUBJECT: OCTOBER LOCAL ELECTIONS: A QUICK LOOK AT KEY
RACES
REF: BOGOTA 5431
Classified By: Political Counselor John Creamer - Reasons 4.1 (b, d)
Quick Look at Key Races
========================
1. (U) October elections will determine 32 governors, 1,099
mayors, and thousands of state assembly and city council
members across Colombia. Control of those seats is crucial
to strengthening grass roots party infrastructure heading
into the 2010 presidential elections, so parties take every
race seriously. The largest parties (Liberals,
Conservatives, Polo Democratico, the U Party, and Cambio
Radical) will field candidates across the country, though
coalition building and back room deals will be key. National
elections officials, political parties, and the international
community are taking numerous steps to prevent the
interference of illegal armed groups in the elections
(reftel).
2. (C) Opposition Liberal Party leader and former President
Cesar Gaviria told us the importance of local issues and
party alliances across the opposition/government divide means
the October results will say little about the popularity of
President Uribe or his policies. By law, the president is
proscribed from campaigning in the elections or endorsing
candidates. Presidency Secretary and Uribe political
operator Bernardo Moreno said Uribista candidates will do
well, but said the elections will reveal the weakness, or
"atomization," of the parties in the governing coalition.
Bogota Mayor
============
3. (C) In the Bogota mayor race, widely considered the
second-most important elected position in Colombia after
president, former Bogota mayor Enrique Penalosa (independent)
faces former-Senator Samuel Moreno (Polo Democratico Party).
Moreno won a Polo primary on July 7 against former foreign
minister Maria Emma Mejia. Most observers predict Penalosa,
who already has support from a coalition of Liberals and
Cambio Radical, will win an easy victory. Still, a July 15
poll released by Bogota daily El Tiempo showed the two in a
statistical tie, and Bernardo Moreno told us Samuel could
pull an upset. Current Mayor Eduardo "Lucho" Garzon's
support will be crucial. Though a Polo member, it is not
certain the centrist Garzon will actively support Moreno who
is perceived as further to the left.
4. (C) Penalosa told us a Polo victory would ease the way
for a Polo candidate to make an expected second round in the
2010 presidential elections. Garzon political advisor Juan
Ospina told us a Polo loss would exacerbate tensions between
the moderate Garzon and more radical elements, possibly
leading the party to break apart. Penalosa said his support
in middle and upper income groups--who have higher turnout
and are opinion leaders--means the close poll numbers are
misleading. He claims a substantial lead among likely
voters. Still, many likely Penalosa voters are highly
critical of him for getting his campaign off to a slow start.
Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla:
=============================
5. (C) In Medellin, former Medellin mayor Luis Perez
(independent) leads in early polling for mayor and
former-Senator Luis Alfredo Ramos (Alas Equipo) is the
favorite for governor of Antioquia. In Cali, three-time
mayoral race loser Francisco "Kiko" Lloreda (Conservative,
but running as an independent),whose family controls leading
Cali daily El Espectador, leads the mayor's race. Current
Valle de Cauca Governor Angelino Garzon told us he is
concerned that Juan Carlos Abadia (Convergencia Ciudadana),
from a family of well-known narcos, may be able to buy his
way into the Valle governor's office in a tight race with six
other candidates. In Barranquilla, construction magnate
Alejandro Char (Cambio Radical),son of former Senator and
Olympica supermarket owner Fuad Char, dominates polls in the
mayoral race. Jose Name (U Party),a thirty year veteran of
the Senate, is in a tight race for Atlantico governor with
former environment minister Eduardo Verano (Liberal Party).
Drucker
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/AND AND US/OAS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2017
TAGS: PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO
SUBJECT: OCTOBER LOCAL ELECTIONS: A QUICK LOOK AT KEY
RACES
REF: BOGOTA 5431
Classified By: Political Counselor John Creamer - Reasons 4.1 (b, d)
Quick Look at Key Races
========================
1. (U) October elections will determine 32 governors, 1,099
mayors, and thousands of state assembly and city council
members across Colombia. Control of those seats is crucial
to strengthening grass roots party infrastructure heading
into the 2010 presidential elections, so parties take every
race seriously. The largest parties (Liberals,
Conservatives, Polo Democratico, the U Party, and Cambio
Radical) will field candidates across the country, though
coalition building and back room deals will be key. National
elections officials, political parties, and the international
community are taking numerous steps to prevent the
interference of illegal armed groups in the elections
(reftel).
2. (C) Opposition Liberal Party leader and former President
Cesar Gaviria told us the importance of local issues and
party alliances across the opposition/government divide means
the October results will say little about the popularity of
President Uribe or his policies. By law, the president is
proscribed from campaigning in the elections or endorsing
candidates. Presidency Secretary and Uribe political
operator Bernardo Moreno said Uribista candidates will do
well, but said the elections will reveal the weakness, or
"atomization," of the parties in the governing coalition.
Bogota Mayor
============
3. (C) In the Bogota mayor race, widely considered the
second-most important elected position in Colombia after
president, former Bogota mayor Enrique Penalosa (independent)
faces former-Senator Samuel Moreno (Polo Democratico Party).
Moreno won a Polo primary on July 7 against former foreign
minister Maria Emma Mejia. Most observers predict Penalosa,
who already has support from a coalition of Liberals and
Cambio Radical, will win an easy victory. Still, a July 15
poll released by Bogota daily El Tiempo showed the two in a
statistical tie, and Bernardo Moreno told us Samuel could
pull an upset. Current Mayor Eduardo "Lucho" Garzon's
support will be crucial. Though a Polo member, it is not
certain the centrist Garzon will actively support Moreno who
is perceived as further to the left.
4. (C) Penalosa told us a Polo victory would ease the way
for a Polo candidate to make an expected second round in the
2010 presidential elections. Garzon political advisor Juan
Ospina told us a Polo loss would exacerbate tensions between
the moderate Garzon and more radical elements, possibly
leading the party to break apart. Penalosa said his support
in middle and upper income groups--who have higher turnout
and are opinion leaders--means the close poll numbers are
misleading. He claims a substantial lead among likely
voters. Still, many likely Penalosa voters are highly
critical of him for getting his campaign off to a slow start.
Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla:
=============================
5. (C) In Medellin, former Medellin mayor Luis Perez
(independent) leads in early polling for mayor and
former-Senator Luis Alfredo Ramos (Alas Equipo) is the
favorite for governor of Antioquia. In Cali, three-time
mayoral race loser Francisco "Kiko" Lloreda (Conservative,
but running as an independent),whose family controls leading
Cali daily El Espectador, leads the mayor's race. Current
Valle de Cauca Governor Angelino Garzon told us he is
concerned that Juan Carlos Abadia (Convergencia Ciudadana),
from a family of well-known narcos, may be able to buy his
way into the Valle governor's office in a tight race with six
other candidates. In Barranquilla, construction magnate
Alejandro Char (Cambio Radical),son of former Senator and
Olympica supermarket owner Fuad Char, dominates polls in the
mayoral race. Jose Name (U Party),a thirty year veteran of
the Senate, is in a tight race for Atlantico governor with
former environment minister Eduardo Verano (Liberal Party).
Drucker