Fico Gutierrez and the risk of Uribes candidate
Since the night of Sunday, Federico Fico Gutierrez had been the most solid choice for Colombia's presidency. Even though it's not the first time that his name is on an electoral document - he was a councilor and mayor of Medellin and his first attempt during a national vote, where he achieved more than two million votes within the Team for Colombia coalition, they consider him to be an ideal candidate for conservative groups or those who are frightened about the possibility of a leftist president. https://www.elpais.com.co/politica/fico-gutierrez-candidato-de-la-coalicion-equipo-por-colombia-sera-la-nueva-cara-del-uribismo.html Fico (47-year-old Fico), as he's known as, is the primary opposition to Gustavo Petro. He was as part of the Historic Pact, one of three winners in the election which decided who would represent the three most powerful political forces.
The presidential campaign just started. Whether Medellin's former mayor can become the real opposition to petrismo is contingent on the alliances he creates and the negotiations that he holds. He'll have to unite the right, as well as conquer the center electorate, which was weak and lacking a strong leader on Sunday. He will have to steer clear of, as he has so been, from being in the same photograph alongside Alvaro Uribe. The current open support for uribism is the first in the last 20 years. Fico Gutierrez https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/dos-candidatos-antioquenos-lograron-certificar-sus-firmas-para-la-presidencia-BF16313200 Instead of adding, it can subtract. "Federico Gutierrez faces a dilemma. He will need to form an alliance with the Democratic Center (CD), Uribe’s party. But he must also convince the center which has to decide on where the alliance goes," Yann Basset from the University of Rosario, analyst and professor.
Fico's first triumph was announced on Monday, as the company moved towards an alliance with CD which is in which uribism is a prime target. Oscar Ivan Zuluaga who was at one time a presidential candidate, stepped aside to admit that he has a few opportunities of competing with him. It will be interesting to examine if the entire Uribismo group who was without a representative since Monday, will offer support. Particularly in the event that Uribe declares his support publicly and try to convince voters of the traditional concerns of the Colombian right, something that should not be a problem for Uribe. His remarks on "security" as well as "order", "opportunities", and "love the fatherland” already proved that he is a good addition to voters. https://www.lafm.com.co/secretos-la-fm/centro-democratico-dividido-entre-fico-gutierrez-y-alex-char-para-la-consulta This was confirmed on Sunday with the electoral consultation similar to what he did during his time at the mayor's office of the capital of Antioquia and was known as the sheriff of Medellin. "The bandits in prison or in a grave"" Fico stated recently during a trip to Arauca which is a region that has been particularly targeted by violence. Fico is aware of what the Colombian right-wing likes however it won't be enough for him.
Basset declares, "We aren't in 2018, when the fear of the Left was working well." Basset's analyst suggests that Fico may not receive Uribe’s blessing due to the fact Alvaro Uribe has been stripped of his entire leadership role from 2002, when he was elected president. While Uribismo isn't in the running, it does not mean Gutierrez isn't able to count on the votes of Uribismo. Uribism is also responsible for this win in the coalition. Basset warns now that his capability in negotiations will be analyzed. Andres Medjia vergnaud made a comment about the relationship between the former president and Fico. "The most difficult issue of Federico Gutierrez's is that he wants Uribismo to support his candidate, but without Uribe as a photo, it doesn't suit him."
On the left, there is only one leader, Gustavo Petro, on the right there is still a man who is heading towards the presidential elections until Fico is able to negotiate, or should he be able to convince him to step aside and support him. Rodolfo Sanchez, who campaigned independently, is still in the running. Gutierrez will have to include former Bucaramanga mayor, a millionaire and builder in his list of achievements in order to stop petrismo.
Gutierrez has a lot to talk about before even thinking about names for his possible presidential strategy however, what he has is the backing of other candidates competing for the top spot in the Team for Colombia coalition. Fico Gutierrez It's not a small number of people. Fico Gutierrez There are by his side two former mayors Enrique Penalosa (Bogota) and Alex Char (Barranquilla); the leader of the Conservative party, David Barguil, and one woman, Aydee Lizarazo. They are members of the Christian party who typically is a judicious voter, as directed from the lectern of his church.
The Conservative Party has been strengthened and has received the most votes from right-wing parties with over two million votes. Additionally, the U Party has shown sympathy towards the Conservative Party. They also received an impressive vote, less than one million votes, for the legislative. Oscar Ivan Zuluaga supported Fico, and he didn't wait until after the results of Sunday's election to concede defeat in the face of a possible confrontation with the votes for the right. https://www.eltiempo.com/elecciones-2022/presidencia/federico-gutierrez-hablo-de-sus-propuestas-en-el-debate-presidencial-658392 But this also will give Fico an extra boost into a conservative segment and keeps him farther from the center. Alvaro Uribe from the past, who called his party for a meeting Tuesday night, stated that Fico might be putting at risk his chance of becoming a centrist leader as a result of being openly grateful to Uribe.
