Tuesday July 8, 2025
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Colombian Left in Disarray as Polo Democratico Faces Defections

Colombian Left in Disarray as Polo Democratico Faces Defections

Julián Villabona Galarza by Julián Villabona Galarza
December 12, 2016
in Colombia, Elections, Featured, Ideology, News, Politics, South America
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp
Colombia's main left-wing party is facing defections to a center-right party, Cambio Radical.
Colombia’s main left-wing party is facing defections to a center-right party, Cambio Radical (Wikimedia).

Español

Following the recent convention of Colombia’s main leftist party the Polo Democratico Alternativo (Alternative Democratic Pole), internal divisions were brought to a boiling point over decisions regarding whether or not to participate in the transitional government or form possible alliances with current president Juan Manuel Santos in the 2018 elections.

RelatedArticles

CNN Fake News: The Network’s Efforts to Justify Its Actions May Be Worse than Its Actual Flawed Reporting

CNN’s audience in 2024 was the lowest in its history

December 21, 2024
The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving

The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving

November 28, 2024

This led Julio César Mancera, vice-president of the Polo Democratico, to accept the invitation of Enrique Vargas Lleras, brother of the current vice-president Germán Vargas Lleras, to be part of the Partido Radical (right-center party that is part of the official party), together with segments of the electorate that have traditionally formed his base, such as Colombia’s LGBTI community.

  • Read More: Colombian Government to Amnesty FARC despite Referendum Results
  • Read More: Colombia Officials Warn of Dissident FARC Factions Morphing into Gangs

Mancera, in addition to joining forces with the vice president’s brother, accused forces allied with presidential candidate and Polo Democratico icon, Jorge Enrique Robledo, of buying votes inside the party machinery at the expense of marginalized groups in Colombian society that have traditionally supported the left.

In an interview with the Colombian radio station La FM, Mancera said: “We consider it to be a historical outrage that historically vulnerable groups that the Polo Democratico always recognized, such as the LGBTI population, Afro-descendants, raizales [Indians of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina in Colombia] and the ROM [Roma] people, have been kicked out of the back door through a spurious vote by an executive committee that sought to boost its own interests at the expense of the dignity of these people.”

With the departure of Mancera, the Polo Democratico is facing a crisis in terms of ideology and strategy, as the Colombian left has suffered in recent elections. The party will need to seek a legitimate means to unite the remaining coalition that makes up the Polo Democratico, and set aside internal divisions, if they desire to mount a credible candidacy for the presidency in upcoming elections in the summer of 2018.

Current president Juan Manuel Santos, who has served since 2010, is term limited, and can not seek reelection. Originally a candidate of the centre-right, closely associated with Uribe, Santos has angered many on the right with his instrumental participation in Colombia’s peace process with the FARC rebel group.

Source: La FM

Tags: Colombian Presidential ElectionsPolo Democratico
Julián Villabona Galarza

Julián Villabona Galarza

Julián is a reporter with the PanAm Post with studies in Politics and International Relations from the University Sergio Arboleda in Colombia. Follow him: @julianvillabona.

Related Posts

CNN Fake News: The Network’s Efforts to Justify Its Actions May Be Worse than Its Actual Flawed Reporting
Ideology

CNN’s audience in 2024 was the lowest in its history

December 21, 2024
The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving
Culture

The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving

November 28, 2024
These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela
Elections

These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela

November 27, 2024
Yamandú Orsi, from the leftist Frente Amplio, wins the Presidency of Uruguay
Elections

Yamandú Orsi, from the leftist Frente Amplio, wins the Presidency of Uruguay

November 24, 2024
Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?
Argentina

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?

November 20, 2024
"The people must come to an agreement," said Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding the outcome of the elections in Venezuela, ignoring the fact that Venezuelans had already expressed themselves at the polls. (File photo)
Colombia

Petro Calls Venezuelan Elections a “Mistake”: What Lies Ahead for Colombia?

November 19, 2024
Next Post
Venezuela Bans Real Estate Sales as Government Confiscates Currency

Venezuela Bans Real Estate Sales as Government Confiscates Currency

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.