Colombian President Uribe calls for Referendum amid political crisis (updated)

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Updates: Later on Friday 27 June 2008,  two members of President Uribecabinet sued the Supreme Court. Commissioner for Peace, Carlos Restrepo, suited the magistrates for their links to notorious drug trafficker Giorgio Sale. On the other hand, Minister for Social Protection, Diego Palacios, suited the Magistrates for excesses committed during their trail of Jidis Medina.  These two actions constitute a direct clash between the Colombian Presidency and the Judicial Power. Uribe placed the legislative power in the middle of this unusual row.

Due to numerous critics on his Referendum proposal, President Uribe issued a communique explaining in detail his motivations. It stated that the only purpose of the Referendum would be to clarify the legitimacy of President Uribe on the current term (2006-2010). This statement tried to clarify allegations made against Uribe over his desire to further extend his term in office by the referendum. However, it is still unclear whether Colombian constitutional provisions allow for such re legitimising referendum to take place.  

Caracas, Venezuela, 27 June 2008. Late on Thursday night and in a televised message, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe asked Congress to call for a Referendum to repeat the elections that allowed him to run for another term in office in 2005. Congress is currently controlled by Uribe´s political forces and has been subject to questioning due to the presence of MPs with links to paramilitary groups and drug traffickers.

This outrageous move was aimed at sorting out the current political crisis created by revelations about bribery and his reelection. This case called Yidisgate proved rather dangerous for Uribe. Just few days ago, his political machinery tried to misinformed the world audience by saying Uribe was the most popular leader in the region.

After condemning MP Yidis Medina for having accepted bribery to cast her vote in favour of Uribe´s reelection, Colombian Supreme Court asked its Constitutional Instance to look the case up. Such decision stirred Uribe to ask Congress for a referendum.

Reactions followed Uribe´s announcement. Most political parties like Polo Democratico and Liberal Party oppose this attempt to legitimase Uribe in his term in office.  Carlo Gaviria called Uribe a populist dictator. Some analysts have also claimed this was the wrong decision to take. Pro Government and Cabinet members have backed Uribe. Ex Presidential candidate Antanas Mockus, asked Uribe to resign instead of calling for a referendum.  The Colombian institutional crisis continues.

Sources: Presidencia de Colombia,  RCN, El Tiempo, El Colombiano, Caracol, BBC, Telesur, Unionradio, El Nuevo Siglo, La República, Semana,

Related stories: Uribe most popular president of the Americas, Colombian Yidisgate continues to shake Uribe government (updated), Colombian President Uribe rejected blackmailing through his son (updated)